Comet Goldfish Hiding Between Rocks: Bullying or Illness?

One Fish Hides, Others Normal

In a 10x20x4 ft pond, one comet stays wedged between rocks, tail visible. Husband coaxed her out once—she swam fine. Salt level normal.

Probable Causes

1. Bullying: Other fish (larger comets, koi, shubunkins) chase her. She hides to escape.
2. Nocturnal tendency: Some fish are less active midday.
3. Subclinical illness: Early parasite/gill issue—hiding is a sick behavior.
4. Spawning stress: If male chases female relentlessly.

Action Plan

• Observe at feeding: does she eat? Is she chased?
• Add more cover: plants, pipes, caves distributed around pond.
• Net and inspect her: gills, fins, body for parasites/wounds.
• Test water: ammonia, nitrite, pH, oxygen.
• If bullying persists, consider removing aggressor or adding more hiding spots.

Time and cover usually resolve this. As she grows, bullying decreases.