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Common Goldfish

Family: CyprinidaeCarassius auratus auratusPhoto © Animal-World: Courtesy David Brough

   Goldfish are fun to watch... just look at all the different colors of these beautiful fish!

   The Common Goldfish are colorful, inexpensive, and readily available. For about 90 percent of all aquarists, their first fish were Common Goldfish won at the local faire or obtained from the pet store in town. They can be quite personable and are delightful to watch.

   One of the hardiest of the gold fish varieties, the Common Goldfish are recommended for beginners. They are an easy fish to keep as they are not picky and will readily eat what is offered. They are active and can swim fairly fast. They are also very social and thrive well in a community.

Common Goldfish Comet Goldfish

   The Common Goldfish is very similar to, and sometimes confused with, the Comet Goldfish. The Comet Goldfish is a further development of the Common Goldfish. Both these fish have an almost identical body shape but the fins on the Comet are much longer, especially the caudal (tail) fin, and it is more deeply forked. Also, in the standard orange color the Comet is generally a more reddish orange while the Common Goldfish is more orangish. The adult size of the Comet Goldfish is smaller too. On both these fish the caudal (tail) fin is held fully erect.

   Another goldfish that is almost identical to the Common Goldfish is the 'London' type of Shubunkin Goldfish. Both these fish have virtually the same body and fin shapes, but the London type Shubunkin Goldfish has a totally different body color. While a good specimen of the Common Goldfish will have a bright orange metallic color, this London type Shubunkin goldfish can be speckled or have a variegated color pattern.

   Along with the other elongated goldfish, such as the Comet Goldfish and the Shubunkin Goldfish, Common Goldfish make good pond fish. They are hardy and can tolerate cold water temperatures. They are active and fast and can get along well with Koi, but they will readily spawn so can quickly overpopulate your pond.

For more goldfish information and taking care of goldfish, see:
Goldfish Care: Fancy Goldfish and Goldfish Diseases

Geographic Distribution Carassius auratus auratus Data provided by FishBase.org Scientific Classification Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Actinopterygii Order: Cypriniformes Family: Cyprinidae

Habitat: Distribution / Background

   The goldfish of today are descendants of a wild carp fish, known as the Prussian Carp, Silver Prussian carp, or Gibel Carp Carassius gibelio (syn: Carassius auratus gibelio) which was described by Bloch in 1782. For many years it was believed that goldfish had originated from the Crucian Carp or Golden Carp Carassius auratus auratus described by Linnaeus in 1758, but more recent research is pointing toward the former. These wild carp originated in Asia; Central Asia (siberia). They inhabit the slow moving and stagnant waters of rivers, lakes, ponds, and ditches feeding on plants, detritus, small crustaceans, and insects.

   In the early 1500's these fish were exported first to Japan and then to Europe and were developed into the wonderful colors and forms of gold fish we see today. The Common Goldfish is one of the more than 125 captive bred varieties that have been developed.

• Scientific Name: Carassius auratus auratus
• Social Grouping: Groups
• IUCN Red List: NE - Not Evaluated or not listed

Description

   The Common Goldfish is an elongated, flat-bodied variety of goldfish. The head is wide but short and it has a smoothly tapering body shape from its back and belly to the base of its caudal fin (tail fin). The caudal fin is forked. Its fins generally stand fully erect and the edge of the dorsal fin is slightly concave.

• Goldfish colors
  The most distinguished specimen is a bright orange metallic color.
• Size - Weight
  The environment the Common Goldfish is kept in is a determining factor on whether your pet grows to its full potential size or is somewhat smaller. In an average 10 gallon tank, if well cared for and not crowded, they can grow up to about 4 inches (10 cm), while in a larger uncrowded tank they can grow larger generally reaching about 7 or 8 inches (17.78 - 20.32 cm). If kept in a spacious pond they can reach over 12 inches (30+ cm), with some hobbyist reporting their Common Goldfish reaching up to a whopping 18" (45+ cm)!
• Goldfish lifespan
  The average goldfish lifespan is 10 – 15 years, though living 20 years or more is not uncommon in well maintained goldfish aquariums and ponds.

• Maximum Size: 14.0 inches (35.56 cm) - In a pond this fish will grow much larger, if subjected to poor conditions and a small tank this fish will die young, stunted, and probably deformed.
• Lifespan: 20 years

Fish Keeping Difficulty

   Common Goldfish are some of the hardier species of goldfish. They are very undemanding of water quality and temperature. They can do well in goldfish aquariums, a pond, or even a goldfish bowl when small, as long as the environment is safe and their tank mates are not competitive.

   Many people will keep goldfish in small one or two gallon goldfish bowls with no heater or filtration. But for the best success in keeping goldfish, provide them the same filtration, especially biological filtration, that other aquarium residents enjoy.

• Aquarium Hardiness: Very Hardy
• Aquarist Experience Level: Beginner

Foods and Feeding

   Since they are omnivorous, the Common Goldfish will generally eat all kinds of fresh, frozen, and flake foods. To keep a good balance give them a high quality flake food everyday. To care for your goldfish, feed brine shrimp (either live or frozen), blood worms, Daphnia, or tubifex worms as a treat. It is usually better to feed freeze-dried foods as opposed to live foods to avoid parasites and bacterial infections that could be present in live foods.

• Diet Type: Omnivore
• Flake Food: Yes
• Tablet Pellet: Yes
• Live foods (fishes, shrimps, worms): Some of Diet
• Vegetable Food: Some of Diet
• Meaty Food: Some of Diet
• Feeding Frequency: Several feedings per day

Aquarium Care

   Regular weekly water changes of 1/4 to 1/3 is strongly recommended to keep these fish healthy. Snails can be added as they reduce the algae in the tank, helping to keep it clean.

• Water Changes: Weekly

Aquarium Setup

   Setting up an aquarium in a manner that will keep your fish happy and healthy is the first step to successfully fish keeping. Here are aquarium parameters to consider in choosing goldfish aquariums, filtration, lighting, and decor as well as temperature and water movement.

• Minimum Tank Size / Length:
  The shape and size of the goldfish aquarium is important and depends upon the number of fish you are going to keep. Goldfish need a lot of oxygen and produce a lot of waste. Keep the tank size and shape in mind when you are buying your fish.
  • Tank Shape
    A large surface area of water will help minimize goldfish suffering from an oxygen shortage. Surface area is determined by the shape of the tank. For the same volume of water, an elongated tank offers more surface area (and oxygen) than a tall tank. In a goldfish bowl, filling the bowl to the middle offers more surface area than filling the bowl to the top. Always provide the maximum amount of surface area.
  • Tank size
    It's best to start with a 20 - 30 gallon tank for your first goldfish and then increase the size of the tank by 10 gallons for each additional goldfish. Providing a large amount of water per fish will help dilute the amount of waste and reduce the number of water changes needed
  • Formula: # of fish per gallon of water
    A general rule of thumb, but only for young fish, is 1 inch of fish (2.54 cm) per 1 gallon of water. This rule applies only to young fish and is not adequate as they grow. Larger gold fish consume much more oxygen than young fish so maintaining this formula for growing fish will stunt them, and can contribute to disease and even death.
  • Fish: size and growth
    To allow for growth, either buy fewer fish than the maximum number of fish (based on the formula above) or be prepared to get a larger tank. Larger gold fish consume much more oxygen than young fish so maintaining this formula for growing fish will stunt them, and can contribute to disease and even death
• Aquarium Lighting
  Most aquariums come with a cover that includes lighting. A cover for the tank is desirable as it reduces evaporation and though they are not prone to jumping, on occasion some gold fish will jump out. Lighting is not essential for goldfish, but does make the aquarium a nice show piece and lighting will help if you have live plants.
• Filtration
  Goldfish produce a lot of waste. Good filtration, especially biological filtration, is very helpful in maintaining the water quality of the aquarium. Filtration systems remove much of the detritus, excess foods and waste. This helps keep the tank clean and maintain the general health of the goldfish.
• Substrate
  Provide a gravel substrate to help create a natural and comfortable environment for your fish. A medium sized gravel works best..
• Aquarium Decor
  You can add some decor, but make sure that all ornamentation is smooth with no protruding points or sharp edges. Smooth rocks or driftwood, should be used sparingly if at all.
  Aquarium plants would be the best choice of aquarium decor for goldfish, but unfortunately these fish are diggers. Consequently live plants may be uprooted. Artificial plants make a good substitute and silk plants are safer than plastic ones.
• Temperature: Goldfish are a cold water fish and will do best at temperatures between 65 - 72° F (18°- 22° C). The Common Goldfish is one of the most hardy varieties of goldfish and can tolerate temperatures a few degrees above freezing, as long as the cooling drops only a few degrees a day. A quick temperature drop can kill them, so if you live in a very cold climate a heater is advisable.
• Water Hardness: 5 - 19° dGH
• ph: 6.0 to 8.0
• Water Movement: Moderate.
• Water Region: These fish will swim in all areas of the aquarium.

• Minimum Tank Size: 25 gal (95 L) - This fish can grow to over a foot in length, keeping it in a small tank will horribly stunt its growth and cause irreversible damage. 25 gallons is really the absolute minimum suggested for this variety of Goldfish.
• Substrate Type: Any
• Lighting Needs: Moderate - normal lighting
• Temperature: 65.0 - 72.0° F (18.3 - 22.2° C)
• Range ph: 6.0-8.0
• Hardness Range: 5 - 19 dGH
• Brackish: No
• Water Movement: Moderate
• Water Region: All

Social Behaviors

   Goldfish are very social animals and thrive in a community. Not only are they a great community fish but they are great scavengers as well. It is really not necessary to add other scavengers or other bottom feeders to the aquarium when you have goldfish.

   Most fancy goldfish will thrive in both freshwater and tropical aquariums as long as there are no aggressive or territorial fish in the tank. Some good tank mates for fancy goldfish are the Chinese Blue Bitterling and the Northern Redbelly Dace.

   Common Goldfish can be kept with other varieties of elongated goldfish, such as the Comet Goldfish and the Shubunkin, and they also do fine with Koi.

• Venomous: No
• Temperament: Peaceful - This fish is active and friendly.
• Compatible with:
  • Same species - conspecifics: Yes
  • Peaceful fish (): Safe
  • Semi-Aggressive: (): Threat
  • Shrimps, Crabs, Snails: Safe - not aggressive
  • Plants: Threat - Goldfish produce more waste than most other freshwater fish and benefit greatly from more frequent water changes.

Sex: Sexual differences

   Although is it impossible to sex Goldfish when they are young and not in breeding season, the male is usually smaller and more slender that the female. In the breeding season the male has white prickles, called breeding tubercles, on its gill covers and head. Seen from above the female will have a fatter appearance as she is carrying eggs.

Breeding / Reproduction

   Common Goldfish are egg layers that spawn readily in the right conditions. See Breeding Freshwater Fish - Goldfish for more information on breeding Goldfish.

• Ease of Propagation: Easy

Fish Diseases

   Goldfish are subject to the same diseases as tropical fish. A couple of the more common problems are Ich, Swim Bladder Disease, and external parasites including flukes, lice and anchor worms. For more in-depth information about goldfish diseases and illnesses, see: Goldfish Care; Fancy Goldfish and Goldfish Diseases.

Availability

   The Common Goldfish is readily available in fish stores and on-line, and is inexpensive

References

Animal-World References
Freshwater Fish and Plants Tropical Fish ~ Freshwater Fish ~ Aquatic Plants

Author: David Brough. CFS.

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Lastest Comments on Common Goldfish View all 102 comments on Common Goldfish Add Your Comment

Bergedorfer - 2011-06-24 Always Turn off the Filters & Oxygen pumps when Feeding ;-) Click For Replies (4) Lalit Patil - 2011-09-14 What is the benefit of it ??? Lalit Patil - 2011-09-14 What is the benefit of it ??? Charlie McCarty - 2011-10-10 For flake fish food it prevents the food from getting swirled all over the aquarium and sucked into the filter where it is wasted. Just make certain to turn everything back on after they have fed. Jimmy Thai - 2011-12-30 That's what I do too! It's because I feed them flake food, so whenever the filter goes off they always think its feeding time :D Reply

Elizabeth - 2010-01-26 I must say I have learned a lot with "Lucky" my goldfish. He was my starter fish. Well him and two others. But two died. They got sucked up into the filter. Yap...learned my lesson on that one. And truth be told that is how Lucky got his name. He was the only one left. So he was.... lucky. We started him out in a 20 gallon tank. He has had filters, heat and bubbles from day one. Now he is in a 120 gallon tank all by himself. He is about 8 to 9 inches long. Lucky is almost 13 years old now and on January 10th 2010 we noticed he was not his normal self. It is now January 26th 2010 and we have done and are still doing EVERYTHING we can possible think of to help make him better. His symptoms are: laying at the bottom of the tank, pop-eye, trying to swim but he ends up on his side. He was bloated, his scales where protruding and had not went poop in sometime. So we have went from Constipation, to Swim Bladder Disorder, to Dropsy, to Septicemia. And NOW I am at a loss. We have done so much, water changes of 20% or more, at one point we did a complete water change removing all the old rock with new. (He really loves new water)It has been a roller coaster ride with him doing good and then he goes back down-hill again. We added Aquarium Salt to his tank as suggested by a pet store to help pull out the fluid that was causing the bloating. That worked cause now he is skinning. Scales are much better he looks normal again rather than a pine cone. He is starting to now show black spots on his scales. I forget what it was called, but they stated that it is a sign of the fish's body healing itself. He still is very weak. Not swimming around and not beinging able to stay up straight. We have been hand-feeding him for about a week now. It was to the point to where he was laying on his side and we where having to pick him up by hand and lean him againest something, because he couldn't get up by himself. And today was the first day that he has actually trying to chase my hand. (it's cute) it acts as if he is starving. Tonight he has been able to sit up by him self for short periods of time and is becoming more active. He has also got on his side and got his own self up quite a few times tonight without our help. But he is still no Normal Lucky. He swims slowly, and only a inch or so at a time, then he stops and takes a break. He is always at the bottom of the tank. He hasn't tried to swim up in a week. Also I seen about 2 days ago a clear like string about an inch or so long with almost hair like things on it floating in the tank. The tank was just cleaned 100%. And then tonight he was resting against his ship and I went down to feed him and there was this long string like thing that almost looked like feces, but it was red and brown. We have treated him and his tank with Maracyn-Two and also a Gel-Tek Medication Food with Tetracycline. That treatment was completed almost 36 hours ago. At that time it called for a 20 % water change, but with the tank water beinging a yellow color and Lucky doing VERY bad, I decided to do a 70% water change. It has been a little over 24 hours since his water change out. He is showing an inprovement tonight, but I hate to get my hopes up because his health is always changing. Tonights testing showed the Nitate levels at 20ppm. and the Ammonia leavel now is 0.25 ppm. We are trying to get them back down to 0.0 ppm. We have been checking for PH levels as well. Ph Looks good. But does ANYONE have any sugguestions??? Is there something I am missing? Lucky is our pride and joy! With his very own personality! This fish has been through a lot over the years, putting up with us as newbie fish parents. I have to do all that I can to help him. So please if you know of anything, Please help. Click For Replies (12) angie - 2010-02-26 I just read your post. I hope your goldfish is doing ok. I think it is awesome that there are people like you who care so greatly about animals. You have done alot more than most...including the person that posted right after you. Good luck to you and your little pride and joy. Alexi - 2010-03-01 I am an owner of two common goldfish. I want to help you. Even though I am 12. Are you putting water conditioner in your tank regularly? If not, you should start soon. 13 years? Dang he's old. Anonymous - 2010-06-17 Too much water, lonely? Laura - 2010-08-01 Check out anchor worm... if he has it it's easy to treat :) Good luck david - 2010-09-15 Go to www.tropicalfishkeeping.com and see if anyone can help there. Robert - 2010-09-29 Try buying another goldfish. That might help. Maybe he's lonely. Erika - 2010-10-02 I looked at the part where you talked about him swimming on his sides! This mostly happens because when fish eat pellets, they expand in their body, this blocks their bladder, making them unable to swim correctly. If I were you, I would soak the pellets in water for about 5 minutes before feeding them to Lucky, that way they don't expand in his bladder. Also, constipation are signs of the pellets expanding in his body. Do not pick him up by hand, if you don't have to! Picking them up by hand can cause infection! Since he is pretty sick right now, his body wont be able to fight off infection as easily. The hair like things could have been caused by mating season. Males get hair like things over their fin and head. Long feces can be caused by over feeding. Good luck with Lucky! :) Please, reply back and tell me how things are going with Lucky! I hope my reply hasn't been too late. :( Try taking him off pellets, or soaking the pellets in water for about 5 minutes before feeding him, and don't feed him too much! Goldfish are the type of fish that, if you put food in the tank, they will eat it whether hungry or not! Too much food causes long feces, and make them more prone to sickness or infection. Try these things for a few months, and if they aren't working, tell me and I could give you a few websites to look around on. I hope things turn out okay with Lucky! Lucky - 2010-10-03 I wish I knew a way to help your goldfish. It might be dying, or it may have some kind of disease. Have you checked with a veterinarian to see what the problem is? \"Violet\" - 2010-10-10 What food are you feeding Lucky? Grains or Flakes. We had a fish for 17 years, and we didn't even have a filter, or an oxygen thing. We fed him the little grains. I recently got another fish, after our old one died, and I fed the new one flakes. He died 2 weeks later. I don't have a scientific reason, but since then, I have had 10 fish, fed on Grains, and they are all still alive. Good Luck. Nick - 2010-10-12 I hope Lucky is doing well, I have had this problem a few times, overeating I think was the cause.. Mary - 2010-10-26 Keep trying Elizabeth .......I wish you best of luck. Mary. John - 2011-12-25 You say you changed all the rocks and water you probably got new tank syndrome which won't help an ill and weak fish Reply

Jimmy Thai - 2011-06-04 I have 4 common goldfish, 2 shubunkin, 4 comets, and 6 wakins in a 1000g pond in my backyard. they're about 7 in. hope they can survive for 20 yrs+ Click For Replies (2) Charlie Roche - 2011-06-04 Me too - that must be some tank. Enjoy. Lalit Patil - 2011-09-14 There is a fungus on my goldfishs tail?? What to do for it?? Reply

LagoonPirate - 2011-08-27 I spent my early childhood on a floating logging camp in a large ocean and river fed lagoon. Most of the fish I saw as a kid were strange crosses between ocean and river fish. The next door neighbor raises koi, and gave me two large goldfish for my aquarium. One is about 7" long and one is about 5". I am going to experiment with compatible fishes, because in the wild, all fish are multi-type social. If they work out, that's OK. If they don't I would like to have somewhere I could send them to a good home. If anybody might take a fish off my hands if they are not compatible, I would be very happy. I will post them here when they are available. Thanks a lot for all the real great input. Click For Replies (1) Toby Jungle - 2011-08-29 Awesome thoughts and sounds like interesting life. Reply

Bergedorfer - 2011-06-26 I live in Hamburg, Germany where as for Fish lovers there are many different types of fishes that can be kept. This includes freshwater Sting rays, Piranhas, Catfish & also South American Discus, I have also bred Racing Pigeons & have had Himalayan Parrots in the Past. As for any animal keeper one must witness how Kobe a region in Japan Treats their Livestock's & the result is good Steak :-) Well I do not slaughter my pets for commercial purposes, I adore them like my own Family member & cherish those Peaceful moments with them. Pets are not meant for human neglect & abuses they must be treated like your own Progeny's. So a callous & irresponsible person must learn how to maintain any Pet instead of manhandling it, THE TIP always think & learn about it & then plan systematically before you Purchase or even adopt a Pet. It's like you Drive your vehicle but do not know anything about its maintainability, Ignorance is chaos and chaos is sheer Disaster & risk for others! Reply

Bergedorfer - 2011-06-24 I started with 14 Gold Fishes since 2005. Till now they have grown huge. I have also bred of course in my aquarium. Tips always use the best canister Filter,Water conditioners,Chlorine,Nitrate, Broad spectrum medicines, Ph/Kh Neutralizer. Use ultra violet bypass in the water outlet and give them plenty of oxygen via pumps. Change water after every 15 days. Feed the baby frys after the eggs have hatched with crusts of dried up small shrimps and add them back to the aquarium after they are year old till then keep them separated in another tank running on medium speed outside filter and of course oxygen with water treatment drops. Always add the collected eggs in the right Temperature Tank 25c will do till they begin to hatch. I feed my adult Gold Fishes with small shrimps soaked in water before feeding about half a small cup 2 Times a day. And when I add broad Spectrum Medication right after water change I then turn off the Ultra Violet bypass for a day or so. Filter cleaning is also necessary during the change of water in the aquarium. Make no Compromise with Maintenance and I bet you will be rewarded. LOVE THY NATURE and BE BLESSED! Click For Replies (2) Charlie Roche - 2011-06-25 Wow, you are doing great but sure have your hands full. You must love it. Congratulations. Bergedorfer - 2011-06-26 Thanks :-) Reply

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