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kay asked in PetsFish · 1 decade ago

My goldfish has eaten half of the other goldfish's tail!!?

Help! We have two little goldfish in a one gallon tank. Overnight, the smallest goldfish, Bob, ATE half and more than half of the other one's tail!!!! We separated them this morning because Bob was still chasing it!

We feed them generously, this has never happened before in my fish owning years. I've had one single fish, and two other tank-mate fishies before. His TAIL....is like a mis-shaped square! The split top and bottom part of his tail has been EATEN. >.< I'm sorry I can't believe this, lol....

Will his tail grow back? We have separated them. Please, someone tell me if his tail will grow back or will he die soon? How can we help him?

Update:

Ok, will the idiots please stop telling me my tank is too small? I've had fish before, ok? Pet stores have huge tanks with WAY too many fish in them. Beta fishes are kept in little plastic tubs for crying out loud.

GOLDFISH...only grow to as big as their environment. It's fine. These are your average 38 cent tiny plain goldfish. Not pretty frilly and flowy...

9 Answers

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  • Anonymous
    1 decade ago
    Favorite Answer

    he will most definitely live through this! Happy to say... I had the same worry a few years back... Mine was worse, he had bruises and it scared me so bad!!! Some fish heal faster than others... and it depends on how bad the fins are.... I would recommend feeding both fish alot then re-introducing them... Watch them closely after the re-introduction for atleast 3 days and if it doesnt happen agian congrats! But if it does keep them seperate.

    Source(s): Have tons of fish! Just bred my first goldfish! Makes me happy!
  • catx
    Lv 7
    1 decade ago

    Goldfish are bullies, in a tiny 1 gallon that is only going to be amplified! Goldfish need more like 20 gallons each in an ideal world, a 1 gallon I wouldn't even keep a shrimp in.

    The damaged tail will only grow back if it's free from infection and the water quality is kept immaculate (ideally fully filtered with regular water changes) the addition of anti-bacterial medication should keep the tail from becoming infected.

    You need to improve your fish's living conditions entirely.

  • Anonymous
    1 decade ago

    The tank is to small so the fish are fighting for space. The tail will grow back unless he gets an infection.

    Hope this helps :)

  • 1 decade ago

    I had this with my fish, ( koi ) have they been in the tank the same time because i put my other koi in the tank a week after i had put the other one in and i started to notice that the one that had been in the logest was trying to ( chew ) on the front fins so i rang up the pet-store and they told me just to leave them and see if they get better and then just in 1 day they were getting along great!

    But just to be save i would leave them in the tank dont be scared because i know that i was when i saw this i thought that the one who was gettin ( bullied ) was going to do but eventully it all worked out and i am sure it will work out with you. Hope I Helped You :) !

    Source(s): Me. :) !
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  • Anonymous
    1 decade ago

    fist of all having 2 goldfish in a one gallon tank is CRAZY. no offence.

    goldfish require at least 5 gallon for onr goldfish.

    threfore you would neeed a 10 or bigger gallon tank. the reason their fighting could be because there isnt enough space,

  • Anonymous
    1 decade ago

    I have a big goldfish when i mean big i mean really big i had the same problem but i started giving her big pellets and she stopped attacking the other fish.About the tale the tale it will grow back.About the worst thing its a big NO it will be alright.And actually you can help it just feed it regular and it will be the happiest little goldfish.

  • 5 years ago

    You already answered your own question. Interesting my cat doesnt pay any attention to my fish. Just got me fish about 3 months ago and thought she will sit all day there and watch. No way, not at all.

  • Anonymous
    1 decade ago

    He'll be fine. His tail will definitely grow back. At this point his tail is susceptible to disease. I suggest adding some melafix. This will keep him from getting infected.

    Good Luck!!!

  • 1 decade ago

    i think the fish might have been really hungry then. but if you feed him normally it might just have been i don't know a freak out? so the way i help my fishes tail grow is by two shrimp peaces a day.

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