~~Family: Cyprinidea
~~Order:
~~Class:
~Description: Goldfish are a commonly kept fish that come in a variety of colors and body shape. They grow quite large, given the space, and each fish tends to shows its own personality. They tend to be very peaceful, though some individuals can get pushy when they feel cramped or when breeding. They do have spines on their dorsal and a**l fins, so care should be taken when netting and handling larger specimens. They have been know to live well over a decade.
~Habitat: Goldfish were bred from the Crucian Carp (Carassius carassius), which are found throughout central Asia and China. Goldfish have now been introduced to waterways throughout the world. They accept a wide range of water conditions and habitats, but for sure prefer a sandy substrate so they can sift around for food. Strongly rooted, and thick leaved plants are advised, as Goldfish like to uproot and nibble on them.
~Sexing: The only sure-fire way to sex Goldfish is to wait until they are of breeding age, usually 1 ½ to 2 years old. Males will develop “breeding stars,” or tubercules, around their gill plates, face, and the front edge of their pectoral fins, sometimes even down on to their bodies and fins. These spots are sometimes confused as a mild out break of ich. Due to over breeding, some females are now reportedly showing a small number tubercules, as well. Males tend to be slimmer in the body, and have a concaved area between their ventral and a**l fins. Females are fuller in the body, and are more flat or rounded out between their ventral and a**l fins.
~Size and Tank Requirements: Given the space and care, Goldfish will grow more than 10 inches (24 cm) long. In one year, they can easily go from a few inches long, to 8 or more. A minimum of 55 gallons (208 liters) for a single Common Goldfish is recommended, and no more than 2 in a tank of this size. A wider tank is better, to provide more room to turn around, and a large pond is ideal. More surface area allows for more fish, in a reasonable sense. Provide 20-30 gallons (76-114 liters) for each fish.
1 ½ year old Female Common Goldfish
~Husbandry
~~Feeding: Although they are omnivores, Goldfish seem to enjoy a diet that is mainly made up of plants and vegetables. Avoid any foods with corn, corn meal, and the like. If keeping your fish outdoors, feed a diet with wheat germ in the fall, and early spring. This helps them digest their food in lower temps, and provides some extra protein when the insect populations are lower. When the water temperature is below 50*F (10*C), you should not feed them. They will slow their metabolisms and eat very little.
~~Aquascape: Sandy substrate, and thick leaved plants like anubias, java ferns, crypts and swords (or silk plants), and décor large enough for them not to get stuck in. Plants are common targets as playthings, and even in-tank buffets, so be aware of this when adding them to your aquarium or pond. They may be uprooted, or eaten.
~~Water Chemistry: Goldfish are a very hardy fish that accept a wide range conditions, so long as Ammonia, Nitrites and Nitrates are kept at their proper levels. They do seem to prefer water that is not too hard, but if acclimated properly, usually do just fine.
~~Breeding: If kept outdoors, breeding time is typically during spring, as water temperatures start to rise, but they can easily breed year round, as long at the temp is high enough. As temps start to fluxuate in fall, they will attempt to spawn one last time, before becoming dormant for the winter. Aquarium fish seem to breed whenever they are ready, but do stick with the usual springtime fling, as well. Males will get pushy and sometimes even aggressive with females and each other, nosing the females ventral area, trying to entice them to drop their eggs. Keep more females than males, to reduce the stress levels, and remove any females that are being pushed around too much and are unwilling, or not ready, to breed.
~~Compatibility: Goldfish are typically very peaceful fish, and can be kept with other goldfish and other temperate community fish. It is not suggest to keep Long Bodied Goldfish, such as Commons, Comets, Shubinkins, and Wakins, with smaller Fancy Goldfish, like Ranchu’s and Lionheads, or Fancy Goldfish with deformed eyes, like Bubble Eye’s, Celestial Eye’s and Telescope’s, and with Oranda’s with too large of a wen growth.
~~~Suggested tank mates: Other temperate community fish, most other Goldfish (see above), Hillstream Loaches, Mollies, Rosey Minnows, Danio’s, Bristle Nose Pleco’s*. I have also kept Endlers with my large Goldfish with no problems. Always research each individual fishes needs before bringing them home!
*Pleco’s can be tricky to keep with Goldfish. Some individuals will attach themselves to the sides of the Goldfish, and eat away at their slime coats, scales, and skin. This is true for most types of Pleco’s, and especially true for Common Pleco’s. I am currently housing a 4 inch (10.16 cm) long Common Pleco in my 150 gallon (568 liter) pond with Goldfish ranging from 3 to 8 inches (7.62-20.32 cm), and a 4 inch Goldspot Sailfin Pleco in my 65 gallon (246 liter) pond with Fancy Goldfish ranging from 4 to 5 inches (10.16-12.7 cm), with no problems. As the Pleco’s both age, issues may arise, so if you do decide to try housing any type Pleco with Goldfish, always keep an eye out, and keep both parties well fed.
~Etcetera: While all Goldfish share the same scientific name, selective breeding has produced a variety of body types, fin types and colors, just like how we have such a variety of dogs. The difference between Common Goldfish and Comet Goldfish is simply fin length. Comet Goldfish will have longer, flowing fins, while Commons will have shorter rounded fins. As both types age, their fins increase in length, and they can be difficult to tell apart. Common Goldfish will typically have caudal fins that make up less than half their total length (from tip to tip) and Comets will have a fin length that makes up more than half of their total length. Fin length may or may not need to be taken into account when housing these fish. Fish with very long fins will need larger tanks that allow for more space so that their fins are less likely to get caught on plants and décor.
Young Common (Orange and White) compared to a young Comet (White). Note the difference in fin length.
Sources:
-My own knowledge
-netplace.com
-fishbase.org
-aquariumlife.net
