Does your fish look FAT?
Could it be that your goldfish has goldfish babies on the way?
Animals reproduce in two ways: either they give birth to live young, or they lay fertilized eggs.
Goldfish, unlike other species of fish such as the guppy, are not live-bearers, meaning that their babies do not start swimming around as soon as they are born.
This means that they have to “lay” eggs instead.
The eggs will remain outside of the goldfish’s body until they hatch and the baby fish become free-swimmers.
5 Ways to Tell if Your Goldfish May be “Pregnant”
1. Chubby stomach
Round, chubby bellies on goldfish are sometimes spotted either at the fish store or in your own tank.
Female goldfish may get a plump, gravid look.
Not swollen – just kinda chunky.
If the fish is swollen, bulging drastically or has pineconing scales, you may actually have a sick goldfish on your hands instead instead of a pregnant goldfish.
Problems like abdominal infections or organ failure can make a fish “blow up” far larger than normal.
Viewing the fish from above can be very helpful to check for pineconing scales – scales that stick out from the sides of the fish (see our article on dropsy).
A fish might start to look a bit more swollen behind the gills and in the abdomen if it is just starting to come down with dropsy or another illness.
Of course:
A goldfish that just looks a bit fat could also very well be overfed.
(Psst – most goldfish are overfed!)
An overfed fish ends up storing too much fat in their body, which isn’t good for their overall health.
If your fish is overfed, you may want to check out our article on feeding.
Finally:
Your fish may still look completely normal and still be carrying a load of eggs.
2. Eggs coming out when picked up
If you reach your hand in the water to pick up your fish and a bunch of eggs come streaming out as she wriggles around in your hand…
That’s a sure sign your goldfish is “pregnant!”
This also means there are a LOT of eggs in your goldfish, and she is in prime spawning shape.
A male fish might be just the thing to help her lighten her load.
It isn’t recommended for anyone other than seasoned breeders to try to “squeeze” the eggs out of their fish.
This can cause potential damage to the fish, as well as considerable stress.
3. Being chased by other goldfish
Chasing only happens once female goldfish, who are ready to release their eggs, start releasing special pheromones into the water. This signals to male goldfish that she is in breeding condition.
Here’s how it works:
Chasing is often mistaken for bullying, and is most common in the spring and summer months.
Males will pursue the female from behind, trying to nudge her underneath her stomach.
That releases the eggs so he can fertilize them with his milt.
- Related Post: How to Breed Goldfish Like a Pro
4. Lopsided belly when viewed from above
Looking at the fish from above, a rounder, more lopsided belly can be seen on many female goldfish.
This is oftentimes from the eggs filling one side of her body more than the other.
5. Male goldfish with breeding tubercles
This isn’t by any means a guarantee your fish is “pregnant.”
But during spawning season, males will often show breeding tubercles on their gill covers and pectoral fins.
These look like tiny white dots.
It just means there is a possibility your fish have gone into spawning season.
Common Myths About Goldfish Pregnancy
Goldfish can get pregnant
Goldfish can’t carry live babies inside their bodies, and therefore cannot classify as “pregnant” at any point in their lives.
Fish that sit at the bottom are pregnant
Fish that sit at the bottom – most of the time are actually doing so because they are not feeling well.
Or suffering from poor water quality.
Female goldfish will show “nesting behavior”
Goldfish do not nest.
They are fish, not birds.
When they do lay eggs, they throw them EVERYWHERE – there is absolutely no consideration as to where the eggs will go.
In fact:
They will even eat their eggs the first chance they get.
That said:
You can make a “nest” for your goldfish if you suspect they are going to throw eggs soon.
That way you can take them out of the water before they get eaten up.
Here’s a great tutorial:
Sluggish behavior indicates a pregnant goldfish
No.
Sluggish behavior – not just a bit less of a “waddle” as they swim, but a truly sluggish attitude – is a sign of a health problem in most cases.
A pregnant goldfish refuses food
If your fish is refusing food, it’s because it’s sick.
A healthy goldfish, even one carrying eggs, will always have an appetite.
Can a Goldfish Really be Pregnant?
Technically…
To be pregnant, an animal must carry actual live babies in its womb.
Unfertilized eggs do not count as babies because they are not alive!
Only after they are fertilized can they begin to grow and turn into little goldfish.
So, can female goldfish carry live young inside them, making them “pregnant?”
No.
Goldfish cannot actually be pregnant because they cannot carry live babies inside of their bodies.
They release unfertilized eggs into the water where the male fertilizes them and they wait to hatch.
They are only alive once they are outside of the mommy goldfish’s body and fertilized by the daddy, meaning that mommy goldfish never is pregnant to begin with.
She only is carrying potential baby goldfish until then.
Then What About that Belly?
So, what if your goldfish has a big round belly? Does that mean she is pregnant?
No – but she may either be full of unfertilized eggs waiting to come out… or overweight!
During breeding season, female goldfish will often grow larger around the middle as, in response to the warmer weather and romance floating through the waters, they swell with eggs.
Sometimes egg impaction can occur when the female goldfish do not have any males around to help them breed, and this may result in a highly abnormal swelling of the abdomen.
Other illnesses can also cause bloating, so if your goldfish does not seem well it may be a good idea to investigate possible illnesses.
If your goldfish is overweight, you are probably feeding too much!
Cut down on the frequency and size of portions (and feed a good quality food) and you should see improvement in your goldfish’s waistline.
Let’s Hear Your Thoughts
Do you suspect your fish is carrying eggs? Learn something new? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!
Hey I would like to know if I can use sand in my gold fish tank instead of those rocks
Yes, you can. In fact I recommend sand over rocks any day.
Hi i am Shiva from india….. I buy newly fish aquarium that\\\\\\\’s 5 days before… I have doubts I buy 2 goldfish 2 angels I kept it both one aquarium… Can I use one aquarium for 4 fishes ..if once they keep egg on that time can I use aquarium water filter…. Goldfish eating food very well and angels r not eating food also they always hiding back side of filter… Plz reply
Sorry I am not familiar with angel fish. I have heard of some keeping the two together, if the goldfish are single tail.
Hi ya! My first hand spawning was 20%successful with around 200 hatched eggs with two fan tail. Next breeding I tried hand spawning the same process but with 3 Male fanatic and 2 female fanatic. The eggs were alot this time but unfortunately all my eggs went infertile and very upset to see all my eggs going white. Does any one know what may have gone wrong?
Your hand spawning method might not be as good as the Chinese or naturally letting them breed.
Hello I really love your work; I have a question. I have a goldfish who is acting normal ( eating, swimming around, etc…) but her stomach is really big and it\’s also lopsided .Any advice on what that could be?
Thank you!
Could be full of eggs if her behaviour is normal 🙂
im a goldfish beginner is my goldfish carrying eggs and why sometimes stays upside down thank you for answering!
My fantail fish keeps hiding in between rocks and I’m starting to think she’s about to lay down eggs can that be true
Usually they get chased before laying eggs by a male in the tank.
Hi i have two black moor goldfish one is fine no weight gain but the other one seems too have put on loads of weight around the lower tummy area and is laying down alot sometimes on its side in the same hiding place. This fish in particular poos alot but ive notice white stuff coming out of it. Also when its feeding time the fish becomes active please help very worried
Are the scales prickling? It may be dropsy.
hi, our goldfish (alone in the tank) has just laid a heap of eggs. Should we leave the eggs, remove, or quickly get a mate?
The eggs will be infertile if no male is present. Remove them or they will foul the water.
I’ve owned my two fish for about a year. One a male bronze fantail I think (not sure about name sorry), and the other a female orange fantail. My fantail has been rather fat and has been growing increasingly in the past 5 months. My tank is cleaned regularly and there are large rocks and plants. I’m not sure if my fish is pregnant/ full of eggs, but the male does follow and chase her around all the time and has been doing so more months now. What should I do? Is she pregnant? Should I change anything??
Maybe try laying off the food for a bit and see if she reduces size. This can also encourage her to reabsorb extra eggs.
Good information, but what is the length of a “pregnancy”. ?
Seasonal, and depends on a variety of factors.
My goldfish is staying on the bottom, does not look swollen, no fin eot, no ich noted but she’s (or he) is staying behind a decoration but comes up to eat and is active for a while them goes back to the hiding place. Is he sick or full of eggs maybe? I have 5 in a 35 gallon tank.
You may need to test the water. It does not sound like eggs.
I have had these 2 regular goldfish for about 3 yrs now istarted them out in a small bowl then i got them a little bit bigger tank with a filter maybe 2 1/2 gallon, They were jus fine i wld come home from wrk and they wld be swimming all over the tank ready to eat!! Now they\’ve gotten so big i had to get abigger tank so i got a 25 gallon tank iv had them in there for about 3 days and they are acting real weird, 1 is fine he/she wld chase the other one around the tank and now hes jus more calmer and he still eats a little bit, but now the other one she /he stays in one spot then she\’ll come up and swim real fast for a second and then go right back to the spot. Will barely eat… now i jus noticed today that they both have sort of a film over their eyes … i hope she maybe pregnant but i don\’t know … i hope u can help me out… thank you…
Did you transfer the filter over when you upgraded them? You may have lost your cycle.
Hi I am new to this goldfish breeder I have a male and a female since my female is almost passing my male when I first got them they were lovey dovey and still are they chase each other around and they kiss each other and themselves on my tank I have but my female\\\’s belly isn\\\’t showing yet could be be having eggs in her body or are they just playing around?
They might be just playing, goldfish do like to interact with each other.
How long do they stay pregnant?
Depends on lots of factors, as far as I know there’s no set time frame.
Hello I am wondering if my goldfish is pregnant because the male fish has the white bumps and the female is rather big but not quite sure what the eggs look like and how big they are could I have some tips please thank you ☺️
I’d check this post on eggs 🙂
Thank you ☺️ x
You are welcome, Bethany!
Heads up gross content ahead: my goldfish has hugeeee strand of poop attached lol is that bad or mean anything ? I read someones comment on another page it could be “eggs” so I haven’t cleaned it waiting for it to “fall” in case it is. Also its alone hasnt had another fish in there 4 months idk how long theyre “pregnant” for ??
No that’s poop :S Female goldfish can release eggs even with no males around, but they aren’t fertile.
I have had my female fish for a year and she is with one male. I know she is a female cuz she has never got the white bumps, so Why is my female not laying or producing eggs? PLEASE HELP ME!!!
(Yes the male gets his white bumps ever year 2 times a year but the second time doesn’t last so long)
( my goldfish is a normal comet)
(Male: black with a white fin)
(Female: orange with a black tipped fin)
The triggers might just not be there for breeding behavior.
So what do I do? Get a new female and keep her in there while the new female is in there? Or take the old one and put her in a different tank?
How can I tell of my 2 comet goldfish that are 4″ each if they’re Male or female? They’re allegedly 3yrs old.
You might want to see here: How to Tell Your Goldfish’s Gender
Hi,
Hoping for some advice. I have a gold fish that has been sitting at bottom of tank for last 2 days in corner behind decoration. Belly looks swollen. When fish does become active (feeding), it swims fine and seems balanced so I don’t think it’s swim bladder. Scales look fine.
My water parameters are all perfect (7.6PH, 0 ammonia, 0 nitrite, 5 nitrate and 13GH)
Fed some peas this evening so will see if improvement tomorrow. Should I feed peas for a couple more days consecutively? Should I treat tank with anti biotics?
Just wanted some ideas on what could be wrong with my fish.
Thanks
Damien
Could be egg binding or dropsy.
⚠️So ok I need some very important info!!!⚠️
How many times does a goldfish have her eggs.
How long will it take for her to develop her eggs?
Goldfish can spawn many times over the course of several weeks or more. Eggs can take several weeks to develop as well.
I really need help. My goldfish is sitting on its side at the the bottom of the tank and it’s fin looks stripped. There are other goldfish in the tank and it is the recommended size. The water quality is normal and everything. Please help me I don’t want her to die!
Could be hexamita or a bacterial infection, I’d start by isolating her to a hospital tank.
I need some advice….my son has 2 fish not even sure what breed they are let alone how to tell if they are male or female. One of the fish has been lying at the bottom of the tank for a few days…it has put on weight and swims occasionally but is not as active as it used to be, it also seems to be not feeding as much as it used to. I’m wondering if it is pregnant/laying eggs? This fish seems to be lying on a small mound of stones all the time too.
Might be having a parasite issue or water quality problem.
Hi have a very important question about my gold fish. We won this fish at the state fair last yr and it grew alot in a yr but we put other gold fish we bought in the tank with her/him and now one of the fish in the tank is chasing her and another one but the one I’m worried about I think maybe pregnant. She sit on the bottom on one side of tank only moves to eat or when being chased but always go’s rite back to same spot on that end of tank. She is very very well rounded around the tummy anal area. Could my fish pregnant? If she may be sick do I need to take her out? And if she is pregnant do I need to take her and the male out so that the babies will live after birth so the other fish don’t eat them?
It could be territorial or sick. I would definitely separate.
Hi, I have a small pond which has around 50 goldfish in it. One of the goldfish a few days ago I noticed was hanging around near the surface all the time, was laboured and slow and generally to me didnt seem well. At first I thought pregnant as they are definitely in mating season but the fish isnt interested in food and is constantly seeking air, the other fish all seem ok. A few days ago I took the poorly fish out, it didnt have spiky out fins but was badly swollen. I created a little hospital tank for it with a mix of pond water and tap water, added some salt and also some antibac solution. I kept it in this for about 4 hours then put it back. Didnt see it for 2 days and actually thought it had died but it reemerged again yesterday back as it originally was gasping for air. A couple of other goldfish by its side as it slowly moved around. It can dart away when it wants to if frightened by something but generally seems unhappy. I dont know what is best for it, to leave it be or to get him out into its own tank and try to help it with salts and anti infection solution? Any advice greatly appreciated
You might need to start with a water test.
Hi, I’m a beginner Gold Fish Keeper but I have had fish tanks my entire life. About 3 days ago I noticed one of my goldfish laying at the bottom of the tank, she swims up to get food but after that swims back down. Today I found she had a long white poop. She is very plump around her mid section. She is also breathing very heavily. And no pineconing. The other gold fish is very healthy. She has a healthy weight, normal poops, and a good appetite. The healthy one chases the other one around but I am 100% sure they are both females. My Ammonia, Nitrite, and Nitrate are pretty high right now. Tank temp is 62° and it’s a 30 gallon tank. If I need to provide more information I will, I just want my Goldie to be better.
If your ammonia and nitrite are high, that’s the first place to start.
I saw my fish chasing each other but it’s difficult to tell their genders and I’ve seen my fish getting more plump.
Edit: any tips on what to do if my fish ARE pregnant?
Throw in a spawning mop 🙂
Hello. I have 3 orandas in an 80L tank. 2 of them (1 male, 1 female) are about 10 – 12 months old. The other Female is younger. The 2 older ones have been breeding like crazy for about 5 weeks now and I am raising 21 of the fry in a separate tank. My concern is that the breeding female has just started to rest a lot in the bottom corner on a smooth stone I recently added. Is she just exhausted from all the spawning? Does she really like the new stone? Or is something wrong. She has a really good filter, live plants, air bubble machine and water is changed 40% weekly. They have a mixed diet of pellets and frozen live food. I’m worried about her.
She probably needs to have a break. Breeding is very stressful to females.
My sister said that she has had her goldfish for 2 years and that now she saw small fish swimming around her aquarium my question is how long do they carry eggs? And what should she do now? Thank you
You might find this post helpful.
Hello my male golfish has the white breeding lumps chased my female around for a little while but now leaves her alone shes become very slow and has developed a white see through lump on the side of her tummy has my make fish hurt her?
Sounds like it could be a blister of some kind.
Hey Meredith,
My fish is not pregnant, but i would like to know if there is any way to have goldfish babies. I would really love my Red cap, Lucy and my Pearlscale, Chubby to have kids. I defnetly know Lucy is female and Chubby is a male, but dont know where to start.
Thanks, Sarbe
You definitely need to check out this new post on breeding goldfish 🙂
Hello, I have 2 female goldfish, i have seen them both lay eggs. How do i get them to stop laying eggs? I have one fancy one with a really delicate stomach, she gets blocked up easily. I dont want to breed them i just want them to stop laying eggs, is there a way to stop them? thank you
Female goldfish will sometimes expel the unfertilized eggs. This is good as it protects them from egg binding. Once cooler weather hits this usually stops.
Hi Meredith, I will DEFINITLY check that new post out. Thanks so much!
Sarbe
Do I remove the eggs when I see them? I have a small 50 gallon pond and the gold fish I’ve had in there fir a couple years I think is pregnant. I’ve read a lot of questions and answers on here but still can get my answers.
How do I know the male has milted them?
Where do I find them? I put a fish tank tunnel rock in the bottom. If she expels the eggs while swimming where do they go.
Sorry fir so many questions but my Grandchildren are so excited to have baby fish.
If you want them to survive, yes.
You can use a spawning mop.
hello i am writing this to ask if my gold fish is pregnant. i noticed to that the other 3 gold fish are chasing and pushing her about. she does not look fat though. i have put her in a tank on her own to getsome peace,
You may want to see this post on aggression 🙂
Hey Meredith!
The names Elizabeth as u might be able to see but i prefer to go by Lizzza if u don’t mind. This is me first time on this website and I’m real excited because I’ve seen from other posts that ur answers are really detailed! My fish are two of the most beautiful, elegant and gorgeous little darlings with sleek scales and the cutest little eyes. I don’t actually know what breed they are but i still love em to bits! Now your probably thinking ‘get to the point already’ but i ask u not to judge because I’m just crazy about my fish, i really am. So anyway, my darling Tina has the most wonderful personality, so sweet and inquisitive but she’s been a bit quieter recently, not darting around the tank as much as she usually does. Ive also noticed she looks a little plump around the belly, more on one side. Ive really been worried about this and before i saw this website i thought it might be a tumour! ☹️ ? ? The other fish, Timothy (I’m not actually sure if hes a girl or boy) has certainly been showing some of the mating behaviours such as chasing and i recently found the tank had turned cloudy! (I heard from a friend that it was a result of mating). So i was just wondering if u could give me some advice on this, whether u think that little Tina is pregnant or what i should do it it turns out as a tumour. I would be devastated if one of my dear fishy babies passed away so I’m really not sure what to do!! Please help!!!
Thank you EVER SO MUCH!!!!!!!,,,,
Lizzzza
Hey Lizzza, check if Timothy has breeding stars. If you see chasing watch for eggs, throw in a spawning mop. Sometimes goldfish can be a bit lopsided due their anatomy if the fish is a fancy goldfish. Like you said it could be something potentially harmful but I’d rule out the chances of eggs before going to another conclusion.
I have pond goldfish.
I have loads of them and koi in all my water troughs and ponds, as of late I’m noticing a couple who have large stomachs and I’m a bit wary as a few had them as we got them but that turned out to be swim bladder problems.
I have some pictures from the top tht I could send you if possible?
If there is something wrong, I want to get it taken care of ASAP.
You can post a link to a photo from imgur!
What is Imgur??
https://imgur.com/
Hello, I’ve recently got 4 gold fish, out of the 4 I think one is a girl, as the other 3 are chasing it and I have noticed they are nocking into its belly, it’s belly is bigger on the right hand side and also a white lining is coming out from behind. If she is going to release eggs is it fine to have 3 males in the same tank as her and the eggs.
Sure sounds like spawning to me! All parents will eat the eggs if you don’t remove them.
I have 4 goldfish and 2 of them are female. They lay eggs 4 times in this 5 week. Is it okay. In the 2nd time l could protect eggs and now I have 100 of fry too.
Nice!!
very nice article…i learned more things about gold fish in this article
Thanks 🙂
Hi please help, my gold fish has a big belly but I am not sure about pregnet, and the fish is not over fed CAUSE I only got it today, also how do u know what genders fish are?
Are the scales pine coning? If so you might want to check out the post on dropsy.
My gold fishs stomach looks a little droopy. Dont know if pregnant? can u help?
p.s how do you tell the gender of a goldfish
thanks
If you feel the stomach gently, it may feel soft with eggs. Here’s a post on gender
Hi I have a common long tailed goldfish I don’t know how long I’ve had it but one side is getting fat and it hasn’t got breeding tubicles yet. My two males chase it around. Do you have any idea if it’s a male or female
If its being chased it could be a female
My fish are staying in one spot between the filter and the side of the tank. I think they might be mating/pregnant. What do you think?
The male also looks like he has breeding tubicles
I would be inclined to think they aren’t feeling well.
Black fish have lay on bottom and not been eating and gasp for breathing move some times for 2 days what should I do?
Won’t the sand plug up your filtration system
Nope, not if you wash it first
What do I do if there is poop stuck in my fishes butt
Do you mean the fish is constipated or there is just poop hanging off?
Hi, my male goldfish is constantly chasing my female goldfish after feeding time for several months now. I haven\’t seen any eggs yet though. Also, my female goldfish is old enough to have eggs; however my male is only 1-2 years old. Would this be a problem?
Keep an eye on it and make sure she doesn’t get too stressed
hi
my goldfish has suddenley go fat and it is swimming perfectly and is active pretty much every time i see it it is with lots of other fish so i dont know what is wrong with it ??
It could be dropsy.
Hello,
My name is Elaine and I currently own three goldfish named Olive, Beatrice and Ethel. I’ve noticed recently that Ethel has been chasing the others around the tank a lot, and swimming very close. I don’t know whether she’s a man or woman, but I’m beginning to think I might have to change her name to Ethan! I personally would love to be a grandmother to fish babies,, but my nursing home allows me to keep no more than three fish, and only one tank! My friend Janet’s guppy fish once had babies and the nursing staff took them away. I would hate for my grandchildren to be orphans and feel very strongly against fish abandonment. Is there a way that I can prevent my fish from breeding? Or is there any good fish shelters that you know of that Ethel can go to? Although I would like to avoid this as I have a very strong bond with her and would not like to leave her in the hands of strangers.
I am in a desperate situation, and I am very worried about the safety and wellbeing of my fish!
Thank you,
Elaine
Elaine.
A tank divider would be a good solution if you can get one, there are also ways to make them yourself. Hope that can help Elaine!
I think my fancy tail gold fish is pregnant and they live in a pond can a aquarium mop be used in a pond?
Maybe if you have enough of them 😉
I bought this goldfish today that had a huge belly for my fish pond! It looks like it’s ready to explode! Can this fish lay eggs in my pond? Thank you so much!
It is possible!