Goldfish Depression?

**BryceMan** · 06-15-2007, 5:38 PM

Hey All,

This hasn't happened yet but I have two goldfish that have been together since we brought them home from the store 6 years ago. Since the chances of them dying at the same time are slim, would one get depressed once the other is gone?

They follow each other around constantly and seem to be best friends.

Any thoughts?

**legendaryfrog** · 06-15-2007, 5:51 PM

Hmmmmmmm........fish can have feelings just like humans. I've heard of some fish immediately dying after their partners have. So there's quite a chance one of them could become depressed.

BTW, what size tank are they in?

**BryceMan** · 06-15-2007, 5:59 PM

Currently they are in a pond about 200 gallons.

**bettagurl** · 06-15-2007, 7:19 PM

well, you could add a younger fish, so if one passes the other will have someone they are close to still.

**BryceMan** · 06-16-2007, 3:10 PM

The last time we added some new fish they ended up dead a short time later. Ah well. What ever happens happens I guess.

**stephalpha** · 06-18-2007, 11:32 AM

I had two black moors. They were the best of friends too. After one passed the other was depressed for alittle while, but then went on to live for many happy years after that. I never added a new tank mate for her.

**Jessu** · 06-18-2007, 4:56 PM

Fish do get depressed. My black moor will lay at the bottom of the tank and sulk when the other fish did let him school with them. They have been more tolerant so he hasn't been sulking. He will take advantage of their kindness and sexually harass them. You can feel my one calico's hate for him. I got him another tank so the calico's don't have to put up with him anymore. I'm also pearlscale proofing this one. So my fat fish wont be getting stuck all the time.

**Corvina** · 06-20-2007, 8:52 PM

Goldfish are community fish and I believe they do better with a mate.
My fancytail really perked-up when I introduced a (sexy... ha ha) friend.
May not be true in every case though.