FaunaHub

Goldfish (Carassius auratus)

FishFreshwaterAquarium

A common orange goldfish (Carassius auratus) swimming in an aquarium.

Common goldfish (Carassius auratus).

Image: James St. John, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Overview

The goldfish (Carassius auratus) is a domesticated freshwater fish in the carp family (Cyprinidae), originally bred from wild carp in East Asia more than a thousand years ago. It is one of the most familiar aquarium and pond fish in the world and exists in many ornamental varieties. Despite their reputation, goldfish are not disposable: they can grow large and live a long time with appropriate care.

Habitat & Range

Goldfish are a domesticated form, so they have no truly wild "native habitat" in the way wild species do, though their carp ancestors live in fresh waters of Asia. In captivity they are kept in aquariums and outdoor ponds. They are coldwater fish that do not require tropical heating, but they do need a generously sized, well-filtered environment — far beyond a small bowl. Released goldfish can become invasive, so they should never be put into local waterways.

Diet

Goldfish are omnivores that, in suitable conditions, eat a mix of plant matter, small invertebrates, and prepared foods formulated for goldfish. They forage and root around substrate. This page does not give feeding quantities; appropriate diet and amounts depend on the individual fish and water temperature and should follow qualified aquarium guidance.

Behavior

Goldfish are generally peaceful, social fish that are active during the day and often interact with their surroundings and keepers. They are hardy in the sense of tolerating a range of temperatures, but they produce a lot of waste, which makes good filtration and water quality important. Behaviour and growth depend heavily on the quality of their environment.

Human Interaction & Conservation

Goldfish have been bred for ornamental features for centuries, producing fancy varieties with telescope eyes, long fins, and varied body shapes. They are aquarium and pond animals, not wildlife; releasing them is harmful and in many places discouraged or illegal. Responsible keeping means adequate space, filtration, and water quality, and seeking qualified help if a fish appears unwell. This profile is educational and not a substitute for aquarium-care or veterinary advice.

Appearance & Recognition

The common goldfish is a streamlined fish, typically orange-gold but also seen in white, red, black, and multicoloured forms. Centuries of breeding have produced "fancy" varieties with rounded bodies, flowing double tails, telescope or bubble eyes, and head growths. All are the same species. Fancy varieties are often more delicate than the common goldfish and can have specific care needs.

Similar Animals

Goldfish are close relatives of the carp and koi covered separately on FaunaHub — all are members of the carp family. Koi, in particular, are ornamental common carp and are sometimes confused with large goldfish, but they are a different species and grow much larger.

Goldfish care basics →Aquarium care hub →

More photos of the goldfish

A black telescope-eye goldfish, an ornamental variety of Carassius auratus.

A black telescope goldfish — one of many ornamental goldfish varieties.

Image: IssamBarhoumi, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Frequently Asked Questions — Goldfish

Can goldfish live in a bowl?
Small unfiltered bowls are widely considered inadequate for goldfish, which can grow sizeable, are long-lived, and produce a lot of waste. They need a generously sized, well-filtered aquarium or pond. Specific requirements should follow qualified aquarium guidance.
How long do goldfish live?
With appropriate care goldfish can live many years — often well into the double digits — and some live much longer. Lifespan depends heavily on environment, water quality, and variety, so figures should be treated as general rather than guaranteed.
Are goldfish coldwater or tropical fish?
Goldfish are coldwater fish and generally do not need a heated tropical aquarium. They still require stable, good-quality, well-filtered water within a suitable temperature range, which should be confirmed with qualified guidance.

Sources and further reading

Authoritative wildlife references used for general educational context. Conservation status should always be verified against current IUCN Red List data. External links open in a new tab.