Pining goldfish?

[quizzywig]

Up to 10 days ago we had two goldfish - different breeds - which had been together for a few years and lived quite happily in a large tank in the lounge. Unfortunately the big one (Harry) died and since then the little fat one (Ron) seems to be pining? Is this possible? Do fish pine away? He doesn't appear to be eating, I have watched very closely when I put the fish flakes in and he just ignores them. He rarely swims around the tank but just stays on the bottom. I don't want to introduce another fish because sometimes they do bring infections. Is little fat Ron pining for his friend?

[hammerman]

You may have problems with water quality....do you know why Harry died ?. Yes fish can pine. Carp are very gregarious and enjoy each others company. They also feel safer in numbers. Some tropical fish pair up and mate for life (cichlids) and will often mope about if one of the fish was to die.

Providing your water is fine (are you doing water changes ? do you have a filter ?) i would considder getting another fish to keep Ron company.

Good luck

[quizzywig]

Thanks hammerman, yes the water is filtered and changed regularly. I think Harry died of old age and I reckon little fat Ron is probably going the same way as well as pining for his friend. I am keeping a beady eye on him, but I don't think he's interested in any food or whizzing about in the very spacious tank.

[k8bailey]

If your water is fine and Ron isn't showing any signs of illness other than boredom I think you should get him a friend. We went through this with our goldfish (chips!), when the others died he just sat on the bottom of the tank for weeks untill we got some new fish, then he really perked up! :-)

[quizzywig]

Thanks for your advise. We hung on for a week to see if little fat Ron was going to go the way of his friend but thankfully he has perked up no end! So today we have gone and got two new friends for him. Merlin and Arthur - he seems really taken with them. We have a happy tank again.