the psychology of carp

11 years ago

I recently added 2 new sarassas and 1 new shubunkin to my pond. My 4 old fish (and they are old, about 12 yrs) have reacted in diffeent ways. My old Shubunkin, Spot, loves the newcomers. He swims along with them as do the 2 white comets (female).

Big Red however wont have anything to do with them. At first he was hiding behind the waterfall but coming out for meals... now he's moving around the pond more freely but still keeps his distance from the others.

At first I was afraid he was sick and got the quarantine tank set up... I asked someone about it at the fish store and half jokingly said "I wonder if he's upset because he's not the biggest fish anymore." I was surprised when she replied that this could in fact be true.

I havent entirely ruled out that he might be sick - but he's not showing other symptoms and seems to be eating OK (although with water temps of 45-55 not much appetite.)

What do ya'll think - are carp territorial? Do they have pecking orders? Do fish actually form relationships with each other and if so what kind?

I just want all my fish to be happy! Spot definitely is, he used to get picked on by Big Red and now its like he can just be one of the gang and also he's got another Shubunkin to pal around with now.

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Comments (5)

koilady
11 years ago
Hi Kasha. In my experience, Koi are not territorial but very social. Is it spring where you are? If it is, have you made any water changes yet?

Your's Koily, Lorraine
Debbie Downer
Original Author
11 years ago
Big Red has been out and about and grazing with the others the last couple of days - I am so relieved. May not have to quarantine after all - whew. He was definitely stressed about something though, not sure what.

Mine are goldies - not koi - who are indoors over the winter. I moved them out early this year - mid March - and they all seemed OK until the new fish showed up a week and 1/2 ago.

I guess what Im curious about is if in the wild they would travel in packs or schools and be "bonded" to each other.... do they relate to each other as indviduals or is one fish pretty much interchangeable with another fish to them. When I first put the new ones in it seemed the 2 groups mingled a little but for a couple of days tended to stick together, old fish together and new fish together.

It's just interesting to speculate what if anything goes on in the fish mind. They are much more aware than I thought they would be.... they can distinguish between me who feeds them vs. my cat who wants to eat them.
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Debbie Downer
Original Author
11 years ago
I am sorry to report that Big Red is having some problems & is indeed sick -whether related to the behavior I reported here I don't know. He is not acting sick, he is out and about, swimming, copeting for food etc. - but now his body has swollen up - looking somewhat like dropsy although scales are not sticking really far out like some of the pictures Ive seen.. This is heartbreaking Wish I'd netted him and moved him into a hospital tank when he was hiding because now I can't catch him - will try partially draining the pond later today. Lesson learned: you know your own fish better than anyone - probably best to hospitalize at the first sign of trouble? What Im reading - if it is dropsy/ kidney damage, has to be addressed asap or once its too late nothing can be done...........
sultry_jasmine_nights (Florida-9a-ish)
11 years ago
I hope everything turns out okay for him.

the psychology of carp

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koilady

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the psychology of carp

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koilady

Debbie DownerOriginal Author

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shakaho

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