Details
Carassius auratus
The goldfish is a freshwater carp relative derived from Palearctic stock. Omnivorous and active across day and night, it browses plants and small animals in quiet water.
Map: Ecoregions 2017 © RESOLVE (CC BY 4.0) · Natural Earth (PD)
It adapts to ponds, lakes, canals, and slow freshwater. Vegetated, muddy, still water provides easy foraging and shelter.
Length is about 10-35 cm and weight about 50-1000 g. Wild-type fish are subdued in color, while domestic forms range through red, white, black, gold, and many body shapes.
Goldfish swim in loose groups and spend much time nosing through bottom material and plants. In stable conditions they feed by day and night.
It is omnivorous, eating algae, aquatic plants, insect larvae, small crustaceans, and organic debris. The mouth sifts fine food from the bottom.
Spawning occurs in warm seasons among shallow aquatic vegetation. Eggs stick to plants, and fry begin on tiny planktonic foods.
Its status is listed as Least Concern. Centuries of selection produced many forms, but releases into natural waters can affect local ecosystems.
