Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

So my small indoor system has two goldfish in it...("Assorted Orangas" I believe they were called.)

They are about the same size, though one is a slightly weaker swimmer and seems to be getting constantly bullied by the smaller, faster, fish. The bully constantly chases him around the tank, nipping at his fins (no bites or damage that I can see) and lately has taken to chasing him away from the food at feeding time. He still manages to get a few pieces, but not as many as the other...which means eventually the bully will outgrow him, and we'll likely have violence issues. Thoughts?

I bought a little decorative shelter thing for him to hide, but neither of them go near it.

Am I just being an overprotective fish parent?

Cheers!

When I had my aquarium, I added fake plants for the fish to hide and also added some more fish. I think the bully got tired of trying to bully the extra fish.

Fin nipping can lead to stress. So it is a valid concern. Give the fish some more places to hide. They don't have to be expensive. (PVC or an old coffee cup, I've used them before) Or get some extra fish if your system can handle it.

Plant heaps of Cryptocoryne becketii. It grows well and spreads reasonably fast
They should form a dense tangled mass in a few months that the fish can hide in.
In fact plant heaps of fast growing plants such as carbomba etc to provide cover quickly whilst the becketti is establishing it self.