Yes, but they can't be hatched.
In the absence of male goldfish, female goldfish may still lay eggs, but these eggs usually cannot hatch into fry. Here is a detailed explanation:
Conditions for Female Goldfish to Lay Eggs
When the gonads and eggs of female goldfish are fully mature, even without male goldfish, they may lay eggs due to external environmental stimuli (such as changes in water temperature or a relatively high fish population density). This phenomenon is not uncommon in goldfish farming.
The Fate of Unfertilized Eggs
If there is no sperm from male goldfish to fertilize the eggs laid by female goldfish, these eggs will quickly rot and cannot hatch into fry. Unfertilized eggs not only cannot develop but may also contaminate the water quality, and they need to be cleaned up in a timely manner.
The Reproductive Characteristics of Goldfish
Goldfish are fish that undergo external fertilization. After female goldfish lay eggs, they need the sperm of male goldfish for fertilization to form fertilized eggs and hatch into fry. Therefore, even if female goldfish lay eggs, without the participation of male goldfish, the reproductive process cannot be completed.
Summary: Female goldfish may lay eggs in the absence of male goldfish, but these eggs cannot be hatched. If reproduction is desired, it is recommended to introduce male goldfish for fertilization when female goldfish lay eggs to ensure the normal development of the fish eggs.