Not sure what’s going on with Cheeto

[BabsandLoon]

I’ve just noticed him laying here over the past 3 days. Not all the time. Just occasionally. He is still swimming and eating fine. Nothing really seems wrong with him other than laying there occasionally.
I know it’s probably nothing but it’s just unusual behavior for him.
I don’t want to yank him out and put him in a qt tank just because he wants to rest occasionally.
I guess all I can do it just keep an eye on him.
Cheeto and I have been through a lot. He was really sick when I brought him home and we worked hard to get him healthy.
I just wanted to express my concern to people who will understand.

 

[bettafairy]

Cheeto is quite cute. I’m sorry to hear that you are worried about him. I’m sure all of us here understand exactly how you feel. In my experience whenever Orandas have decided to lay down it’s usually because of stress. What temperature do you have him at?

 

[BabsandLoon]

He’s at 72F which is what I’ve always kept the tank at.

 

[bettafairy]

He’s at 72F which is what I’ve always kept the tank at.

That’s good to hear, as long as there hasn’t been any fluctuations I’d rule out temperature as a factor. If there isn’t anything else out of the ordinary with his behavior, tank mates, and parameters are all the same, could it be old age? Or any outside of tank factors like new loud noises?

 

[BabsandLoon]

He isn‘t old. Maybe around a year.
I did recently add a new tank mate. Luna is a juvenile pearlscale but she doesn’t really bother Cheeto. She is still a little and shy and hasn‘t quite figured out her place yet. She spends a lot of time behind the plants still (although she is finally starting to come out a little bit more often).
I haven’t noticed him having an issue with her or any of the others. The tank is in my (home) office and I’m in here working all day and am in and out in the evenings and my off days. I feel like I would have noticed if he was having issues with anyone.
Maybe it’s nothing and I’m just being paranoid.

 

[mimo91088]

9 times out of 10 bottom sitting is an indication of poor water quality. But it could be caused by a number of other things. If it's not usually behavior for the individual fish, then likely something is stressing him.

 

[bettafairy]

Seems like there couldn’t be anything bothering him so, maybe he just likes to lay down from time to time!

 

[BabsandLoon]

That’s the first thing I thought but when I tested it the water is fine. Same as always. Since I have four of them now in the 60 gallon along with a couple of snails I am extra diligent with the water changes.

I did think that maybe since the place he is laying is the closest he can get to me, maybe he’s doing that “Look at me I’m so pitiful don’t you want to pay me attention and feed me?” thing goldfish sometimes do.
I honestly don’t know.

 

[mimo91088]

Is he a confirmed male? Sometimes a female full of eggs will bottom sit too and it is that time of year.

 

[bettafairy]

Is he a confirmed male? Sometimes a female full of eggs will bottom sit too and it is that time of year.

Didn’t even think about that! Maybe OP’s Cheeto is actually a Cheeta.

 

[BabsandLoon]

Well I’ve assumed male because he has some pretty prominent breeding stars. I never really thought to look into whether females have those as well.
So I guess to answer the question, no, he is not a “confirmed” male.

 

[mimo91088]

Well I’ve assumed male because he has some pretty prominent breeding stars. I never really thought to look into whether females have those as well.
So I guess to answer the question, no, he is not a “confirmed” male.

It's rare, but not impossible for a female to display breeding stars. Could be a possibility.

 

[Sc0rPs]

Provided tank conditions have not changed and water good, I am going to think he is a she as well. Weather getting warm in your area? Inside your home? Maybe raising the water temp a degree or two?

 

[BabsandLoon]

So maybe Cheeto IS a girl? I noticed today that Truffle is constantly following and nudging under Cheeto. Not in a harassing sort of way but just...is following and nudging.
So I’m wondering if that’s breeding behavior maybe?

Whatever is going on with Cheeto, Truffle is RIGHT THERE.
This is the best picture I could get

 

[mimo91088]

Sounds like textbook breeding behavior. You might have eggs soon.

 

[BabsandLoon]

Well then I guess Cheeto is a girl. I thought for sure she was a he.

 

[mimo91088]

Won't know for sure until you see eggs, but it sounds likely. Even when an expert visually sexes a goldfish, it's still an educated guess going off high probability factors. Witnessing reproduction is really the only way to ever be 100%.

 

[BabsandLoon]

I wouldn’t even know what to look for in terms of eggs. Would the others eat them? I’m sure they would. They will eat whatever fits in their mouths.
I did want to set up another Goldie tank eventually. I didn’t necessarily want it full of my grandfish.

 

[mimo91088]

If they spawn, you'll see it of you check your tank over the course of a day. If one of my girls drops eggs it covers everything. Takes them about 10-12 hours to eat them all.

 

[BabsandLoon]

So far nothing that resembles eggs. Cheeto is behaving just fine but still resting on the bottom occasionally.

I did a big water change today. Whatever is bothering Cheeto isn’t bad enough to keep him/her from playing in the bubbles.