GuitarFreak664

A few days I bought two goldfish to replace my recently deceased shubunkin. I've got a black moor and a red ryukin goldfish, both of which are about three inches long including tails. Since the day I got them the ryukin doesn't really do anything but sit in the corner when nobody is in the room. When they occasionally start swimming around together they seem to get along great and the ryukin doesn't seem to have any trouble at all swimming, ruling out a swim bladder disorder. He doesn't seem sick at all so I'm wondering if this could be a behavioral thing (trying to establish himself as the stronger one in the relationship) or if I just happened to get a bad fish. I know it sounds a bit farfetched but I'm trying to think of the possible problems. Does it sound like something that would happen? Do you think that it will eventually grow out of this phase or am I stuck with a boring fish that sits on the bottom of the tank all day? Thanks for your input!

sirdarksol

It's likely that your new fish is just trying to figure out his place in the tank right now. Some fish take a while to adjust, others do so immediately.

Chief_waterchanger

What size tank are they in?

Isabella

Plus, any other fish in there? And ... what are your ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate readings?

COBettaCouple

what did your shubunkin die of? has the tank had other fish to keep it cycled?

swords3711

well new fish will do that
once it gets used to the environment it will come out a little more
as long as he is eating he should be fine

GuitarFreak664

They're in a 20 gal tank, lightly planted. The ammonia, nitrite, etc. are normal so I'm assuming its just a behavior thing. So the general opinion is that this is something the fish will grow out of right?

swords3711

correct
hes new so it will take him a little while some fish are shyer than others
i had 4 variatus when i started my aquarium
they hid in my plants for about two weeks

jsalemi

I think fish are like people and have their moods -- sometimes they want to be social, and other times they just 'vant to be alone.' I have 5 zebra danios in my tank, and most of the time they'll shoal together, chase each other around the tank, and just look like they're having a good time. Then for about a week they'll hang out in their own area of the tank, hiding in plants and caves, and completely ignoring each other (other than at feeding time of course -- then it's a free-for all).

Butterfly

Some times new fish do hide and act shy in general until they figure out their niche in the tank but I must say your tank is way over stocked.
If I understand correctly you have two goldfish, a black moor and a red ryukin in a 20 gallon tank.
The recommended tank size for goldfish is 20 gallons for the first one and 10 gallons more for each additional goldfish. The reason for this is that goldfish are heavy waste producers and need more room. so you've got about 50 gallons worth of goldfish there
could you post the numbers for your ammonia, Nitrites and Nitrates please?
Keep us posted.
carol