People started breeding Goldfish for different colors in China 1000 years ago. Only members of the imperial Song dynasty were allowed to own them.

Once thought fit only for emperors, the goldfish has become a well-loved pet. Intelligent and curious as well as beautiful, it is hardy and can live a long time. Read on for more facts about Carassius auratus:

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Goldfish Classification and Scientific Name

Goldfish belong to the Cyprinidae family and the Carassius genus, and the scientific name is Carassius auratus. Carassius is derived from the Latin word karass, which is a name for the fish. Auratus means “gilded.” Biologists used to believe the goldfish was a subspecies of the crucian or Prussian carp, but it is now believed to be its own species. Though there are only one species of goldfish there are countless breeds.

Goldfish Appearance

The look of your “common” goldfish is unmistakable. It is, first and foremost, a brilliant coppery gold color that’s found on no other fish. Those kept as pets usually grow no longer than 3 inches, but they can grow to over 16 inches in size and weigh over 9 pounds. The body can be torpedo-shaped or egg-shaped, but what most goldfish shares are a pair of pectoral fins, a pair of pelvic fins, and one dorsal fin, one anal fin, and one caudal or tail fin. Their lateral lines, which help them sense pressure, movement, and vibrations in the water bear 27 to 31 scales, but they do not have scales on their heads. They have huge eyes, and their senses of smell and hearing are excellent.

Different breeds can have bubble or telescope eyes, comet, veil, butterfly or fan-shaped tails, heads that look like raspberries, and scales that look like rows of pearls. They can come in the usual gold as well as combinations of black, white, purple, red, brown, or yellow.

Goldfish Distribution, Population, and Habitat

C. auratus is native to China, but it has spread all over the world, either as a pet or an escapee into freshwater bodies. It’s a tough and long-lived fish that prefers cold water and doesn’t mind much if the water is turbid. Besides tanks and bowls, they can be found in pools, ponds, slow rivers, canals, and even drainage ditches.

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Goldfish Predators and Prey

Goldfish are omnivores, and their food includes plant material and small animals such as mosquito larvae and brine shrimp. They actually have teeth in their throat, called pharyngeal teeth, which help them grind up their food. In turn, they are food for any animal that preys on fish. These include turtles, waterbirds such as herons and gulls as well as other, larger fish such as pike.

Goldfish Reproduction and Lifespan

Goldfish reproduce if their tank has the right maintenance and if they are given the proper care. In the wild, they start to breed in the spring. Females grow fat with unfertilized eggs, and males chase them around and prod them until they release their eggs. Then, the male fertilizes them. The eggs are sticky and cling to the leaves of aquatic plants or rocks. They hatch after two to three days.

The baby fish or fry are brown at first, and it may be as long as a year before they take on the glittering gold of their species. Still, they grow very quickly to avoid being eaten. Predators may include adult conspecifics. A pet goldfish can live as long as 25 years, and those in the wild have lived over 40 years.

Goldfish in Fishing and Cooking

Though C. auratus is a type of carp and is perfectly edible, it’s not used in cooking unless a fisherman happens to land an unusually large one. In 1939 goldfish swallowing was a fad. Fortunately, it fell out of favor though it is still practiced here and there.

Goldfish Population

The population ranges at least in the tens of millions, and those released into the wild can breed to the point where they become pests. Lake Ontario alone has at least 50 million goldfish, descendants of pets released into the wild.

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