The Goldfish: What You Need To Know?

Goldfish are perhaps the most popular aquarium fish in the world, and a species most first-time fish hobbyists start off with.

Their bold colors, gracefulness and gentle demeanor have endeared them to people of different generation, and they are ideal pets for children as they are relatively easy to care for.

History of the Goldfish

The goldfish, Carassius auratus auratus, is native to China and Central Asia. In the wild, they are a natural brown/silvery color, unlike the brightly colored varieties we are accustomed to. Occasionally, a slightly unusual individual—for instance, one that is white or orange—such oddities that captured the interest of early fish hobbyist.

The earliest reliable records relating to goldfish being kept as pets dated back to the Sung dynasty in China (around 1,000AD), although varieties in these “strange” colors had been noted much earlier (around 300AD). The Chinese embraced these fish as part of their culture, and set about intensifying their colors through selective breeding.

By the end of the 13th century, gold, silver, red, black and mottled species were established. Subsequently, over the centuries, the Chinese, Japanese, Americans and Europeans went on to develop the vast array of colors and shapes prevalent today.

Varieties Of Goldfish

There are far too many varieties of goldfish to specify, but it is worth distinguishing between “fancy” and “ordinary” varieties. Fancy goldfish, such as the Black Moor or Oranda, generally have unnatural body shapes and finnage. They are ideal for indoor aquaria, but do not fare well outdoors, where they may have difficulty coping with the elements. Ordinary goldfish, which include Shubunkins and Comets, have more normal body shapes, but their fins may stall be ornate. These fish can be kept indoors or outdoors.

It is wiser not to keep fancy and ordinary goldfish varieties in the same aquarium, as the former tend to be overshadowed by their more agile tank mates. The body shapes of some fancy goldfish could be also give the impression that they are mature females ready to spawn, subjecting them to constant harassment by the other fish.

Fun Fact about Goldfish:

• Goldfish need the same care as other fish, and do not like being kept in unfiltered aquariums.
• Bowls are not ideal for goldfish; provide them with a proper aquarium.
• Goldfish can live a very long time in captivity. The oldest known goldfish was call “Tish”, and it lived for 43 years.
• Goldfish change color as they grow. They start as brown fry and turn orange after a few years; some even go white as they grow old—just like us!
• Goldfish can live a greater range of temperature than any other fish – from 0°C to 41°C (most tropical fish need a temperature of 25°C).
• Goldfish can live happily in brackish water, at salt levels of up to 5ppt (parts per thousand). Normal salt water is 35ppt and freshwater is virtually zero.
• A wild form of goldfish, Carassius anratua gibelio form Eastern Europe, only exist as “gynogenetic,” meaning that the female’s eggs that develop bear only her genetic material. Though the females may spawn with males of other species, the sperms merely trigger egg development; they do not contribute to the genetic make-up of the young.

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