Babies???

[milliemax]

    When can I expect babies from my MUTT goldies? What can I do to give them the best environment for this?
  I read all these boards and everyone is finding babies all over the place! I've had comets, shubs and regular goldies off and on for a few years. Usually 4-5 out of 10 each year survive the neglect of the winter/critters.
  I just have a 4x6' above ground preform with several plants, mostly stand up ( cat tails, unicorn grass, umbrella fern)
    TIA   Nancy

[miguynmkoi]

Hey Nancy, my goldies have plenty babes and I think it's because the fries have some place to hide from the other fish.  I have lots of anarchist (sp) and parrots feather anchored at one end of the ponds.  I got some hornwart from Mikey earlier this year that I'm sure helps too.

Once the babies feel they can swim out for food I just crush some pellets and they get what slowly drops to the bottom of the pond and stay out of the way of bigger mouths.

It may be too cold for any action now but come spring....

Good Luck!

[marla]

If you have both sexes don't worry they will have them.  Look for small white tubercle growths (looks like salt/ich) on the gill plates, edges of the dorsal and pectoral fins, these appear on the males (only) when they reach breeding age.  If you have no goldfish with them then you may have all females.  Yes good plant cover for young and also for eggs.  The fish when spawning will chase the females and bump them to release the eggs, they will be there to eat them up also.

[milliemax]

   Thanks for the replies. Sorry it took so long to get back! When I can't see my fishies (hiding during the cold weather) I don't check in here quite as often.
   I guess I need to get some plants that give some coverage.
  Anyone have ideas for a mostly shady area?   TIA   Nancy

[marla]

Parrot's feather floating accross the top of the water makes good hiding places, mine always spreads across the water instead of growing more upright.   Thin bladed grasses, like hardy unbrella papyrus (Cyperus Longus),  for spawning purposes curly rush is great.