How do you know if your fish are fighting or playing?

[Bree]

I just got new fish, never owned them before, the are both a type of goldfish which I was told can live together, they are about 3 inches long each. I can't tell if they are fighting, playing or figuring out who will be the alpha, any help?

 

[saphirestars]

goldfish dont fight but they have this natural curiosity to bite other fish. dont worry, things shouldnt ever get to serious, just a few nibbled tails or very few missing scales but that's it. very minor stuff. playing is when together they navigate around the tank and run their heads up and down the sides of the tank together

 

[TracyAnn]

When one has had it's fins nibbledaway or it's dead they were fighting.

 

[capt. spalding]

fish don't play like dogs

 

[Cody Y]

They're fighting. Not dolphins fish.

 

[bonnnti]

goldfish normally do not fight but watch out for injurieslike bites on their fins........