Why is your goldfish spitting out his flakes?

- Flakes Are Too Large: If the flake food is too large for your goldfish to eat comfortably, it may spit them out. Try breaking the flakes into smaller pieces or purchase a smaller flake size.

- Poor Water Quality: Goldfish are sensitive to water quality and may refuse to eat if the water is not clean. Check your water parameters (pH, ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate levels) and make sure they are within the ideal range for goldfish.

- Stress: Stress can cause goldfish to lose their appetite. Stressors can include overcrowding, changes in water temperature or pH, and the presence of predators or aggressive tank mates.

- Illness: Some illnesses, such as digestive issues or parasites, can cause goldfish to lose their appetite. If your goldfish is exhibiting other symptoms of illness, such as lethargy, changes in appearance, or difficulty swimming, it's important to consult a veterinarian.

If you have addressed these potential issues and your goldfish is still spitting out its flakes, it may simply be a matter of preference. Goldfish have individual tastes and may prefer different types of food. Try offering your goldfish a variety of foods, such as live or frozen brine shrimp, pellets, or freeze-dried foods, and see what it prefers.