Can a goldfish get lonely? Serious answers only please?

It is unlikely that fish get lonely or bored, however, animals do benefit from having a more challenging lifestyle. Fish must be compatible with each other and goldfish should be of a similar size when introduced to each other.

Shoaling fishes like minnows need to live in a shoal. They can feel under threat of predation if they do not have the security of living in a group.

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I'm getting the same problem as well. I gor Misha (my goldfish) last week and I feel like he's lonely because all he does is mouth/kiss his reflection. I researched that goldfish like to stay in packs (or something like groups) so maybe you should get another fish. But you'll have to make sure the new fish goes through all the necessary procedures.

Watch the behaviour of the old fish and record it and maybe then take action and do what you think is most approproate. Good luck :)

No, they don't get lonely.

How do you know he is lonely anyway? These symptoms that made you think this are most likely illness...Goldfish can be perfectly healthy (happy) alone.

How big of a tank are they in? Have you ever tested the water? If two of them died i am guessing there is an issue with the water quality. Goldfish can live for 20+ years if kept properly in a large enough tank. They would have to be very, very old fish to just die of natural causes...and the fact that they both went tells me this is not the case.

Don't go to Pet smart...go to a fish store. Yes all businesses want sales...but you are more likely to get solid advice from someone who has been running a store for many years. Many of the people I have seen at those large stores in the fish section are absolutely clueless.

Do a water change for now....about 15-20% or so. Then get a sample of the tanks water and bring it in to a fish store and they will usually test if for you at no charge. While you are there pick up just some basic testing strips so you can monitor the levels.

Edit: A 5.5 gallon tank is way too small for one goldfish let alone three. They probably got way stressed out.

Yes, Goldfish are very social. They do miss tankmates. And they do have memories that last for months. Mine can tell me apart from strangers. They swim up to the top of the tank when I enter the room and swim around excitedly - hoping for food, no doubt - but hide under plants when strangers are in the room. When I had a fish that died, my other fish all swam slower for a few days and ate less.

You need to figure out why your fish died. Do you have a large enough tank? Goldfish need 20 gallons each - cleaned and filtered well. Feed them once or twice a day only with shrimp pellets - once a week with whole baby shrimp to help with digestion.

yes, goldfish are very social creatures, don't believe me see this page, just scroll down to the behavior part:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goldfish

However, you should not buy a new one untily uo know your fish is healthy and that you have enough room to support more. for 3 goldfish, assuming they were fancies not slim bodied, they need 20 gallons for the first fish and 10 gallons for every fish after that, which means a 40gallon tank. if you have a 40gallon tank for them and you know your fish is healthy then certainly you should buy some more fish to keep it company.

*edit*

5.5gallons is waaay too small. it's not just aobut ammonia, it aslo has to do with size. even the smallest goldfish grow to be 6-8inches.

the best thing to do would be to see if a pet store will let you trade the goldfish for a betta. get a heater and you've got a great home for a betta.

Do Fish Get Lonely

I don't think fish get lonely or irritated for or at other fish. Saying that I have seen fish that would appear to be mates. Weather this is happening for the purpose of mating only perhaps.

In my spare time I enjoy cave BIO. Mostly blind southern cave fish. There are pairs of fish but Meany more singles. I don't try to generalize but fish in caves are survivalist Right down to there albino coloring. I would like to think they have the instinct's of all fish or all other fish have there instant's.

Fish also get aggressive. I don't think it's because there mad, upset etc...Its just people can see and catalog behavior And we assume whats going on in there little brains as Mad. Angry etc.

In other words enjoy your fish. I think its mental health is fine.

Happy Caving Carroll

First of all staff in pet stores, especally big chain petstores, usually don't know much about what they are selling.

Secondly, with your three goldfish dying, it makes me wonder about your tank size. Most people think goldfish can live in bowls and small tanks, but that is actually not true. One goldfish usually needs about 10 gallons of water to himself. They get quite large and produce a lot of ammonia and waste. If you have them in a small or overcrowded tank, the ammonia levels rise really quickly and can quickly kill your goldfish.

Goldfish also require a proper filter for the tank.

Your goldfish will do fine by himself, they are not schoolers so they do not need other fish to be happy and survive. Also, they have rather small brains and a short memory, so they wont get bored easily.

If you have at least a 20 gallon tank, it wouldn't hurt to get another one.

well animals are like people and it is possible for a fish to die for being alone but if its big and has "toys" in its tank than maybe it doesnt need friends but if you did i would recomend you getting fish of the same species well hope i helped a bit:]