The goldfish, Carassius auratus, was one of the earliest fish to be domesticated, and is still one of the most commonly kept aquarium fish and water garden fish. A relatively small member of the carp family, the goldfish is a domesticated version of a dark-gray/brown carp native to East Asia. It was first domesticated in China^[1] and introduced to Europe in the late 17th century. Goldfish cheddar Goldfish are American snack crackers manufactured by the Campbell Soup Company and marketed under the Pepperidge Farm brand. ... Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 606 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (1496 × 1480 pixel, file size: 509 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... The pearlscale or chinshurin in Japanese, is a spherical-bodied fancy goldfish with finnage similar to the fantail. ... The conservation status of a species is an indicator of the likelihood of that species continuing to survive either in the present day or the future. ... Image File history File links Status_iucn3. ... Least Concern (LC) is an IUCN category assigned to extant species or lower taxa which have been evaluated but do not qualify for any other category. ... For other uses, see Scientific classification (disambiguation). ... Phyla Subkingdom Parazoa Porifera (sponges) Subkingdom Agnotozoa Placozoa Orthonectida Rhombozoa Subkingdom Metazoa Radiata Cnidaria Ctenophora - Comb jellies Bilateria Protostomia Acoelomorpha Platyhelminthes - Flatworms Nemertina - Ribbon worms Gastrotricha Gnathostomulida - Jawed worms Micrognathozoa Rotifera - Rotifers Acanthocephala Priapulida Kinorhyncha Loricifera Entoprocta Nematoda - Roundworms Nematomorpha - Horsehair worms Cycliophora Mollusca - Mollusks Sipuncula - Peanut worms Annelida - Segmented... Typical Classes See below Chordates (phylum Chordata) are a group of animals that includes the vertebrates, together with several closely related invertebrates. ... Orders See text The Actinopterygii are the ray-finned fish. ... Families Suborder Cobitoidea     Balitoridae (hillstream loaches)     Catostomidae (suckers)     Cobitidae (loaches)     Gyrinocheilidae (algae eaters) Suborder Cyprinoidea     Cyprinidae (carps and minnows) The Cypriniformes are an order of ray-finned fish, including the minnows and some related families. ... Genera (many, see text) The family Cyprinidae, named after the Greek word for goldfish, consists of the carps and minnows. ... Carassius is a genus in the family Cyprinidae. ... Trinomial name Carassius auratus auratus (Linnaeus, 1758) The goldfish (Carassius auratus auratus) is one of the earliest fish to be domesticated and is still one of the most commonly-kept aquarium fish. ... Trinomial nomenclature is a taxonomic naming system that extends the standard system of binomial nomenclature by adding a third taxon. ... Carl Linnaeus, Latinized as Carolus Linnaeus, also known after his ennoblement as  , (May 13, 1707[1] – January 10, 1778), was a Swedish botanist, physician and zoologist[2] who laid the foundations for the modern scheme of nomenclature. ... For other uses, see Fish (disambiguation). ... Dogs and sheep were among the first animals to be domesticated. ... A vast number of species of fish have been successfully kept in the home aquarium. ... This water garden features water lilies and elephant ear. ... Genera (many, see text) The family Cyprinidae, named after the Greek word for goldfish, consists of the carps and minnows. ... East Asia Geographic East Asia. ... For other uses, see Europe (disambiguation). ...

Goldfish can grow to a maximum length of 23 inches (59 cm) and a maximum weight of 9.9 pounds (4.5 kg), although this is rare; few goldfish reach even half this size. The oldest recorded goldfish lived to 49 years,^[2] but most household goldfish generally live only six to eight years, due to being kept in bowls.^[3] The word for a group of goldfish is a "troubling".^[4]

History

During the Tang Dynasty, it was popular to dam carp in ponds. As the result of a dominant genetic mutation, some of these carp displayed gold (actually yellowish orange) rather than silver coloration. People began to breed the gold variety instead of the silver variety, and began to display them in small containers. The fish were not kept in the containers permanently, but would be kept in a larger body of water, such as a pond, and only for special occasions at which guests were expected would they be moved to the much smaller container.^[1] For the band, see Tang Dynasty (band). ... It has been suggested that dominant allele be merged into this article or section. ... For linguistic mutation, see Apophony. ...

In 1162, the Empress of the Song Dynasty ordered the construction of a pond to collect the red and gold variety of those carp. By this time, people outside the imperial family were forbidden to keep goldfish of the gold (yellow) variety, yellow being the imperial color. This is probably the reason why there are more orange goldfish than yellow goldfish, even though the latter are genetically easier to breed.^[5] Emperor is also a Norwegian black metal band; see Emperor (band). ... Northern Song in 1111 AD Capital Bianjing (汴京) (960–1127) Linan (臨安) (1127–1276) Language(s) Chinese Religion Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism Government Monarchy Emperor  - 960–976 Emperor Taizu  - 1126–1127 Emperor Qinzong  - 1127–1162 Emperor Gaozong  - 1278–1279 Emperor Bing History  - Zhao Kuangyin taking over the throne of the Later Zhou...

The occurrence of other colors was first recorded in 1276. The first occurrence of fancy tailed goldfish was recorded in the Ming dynasty. In 1502, goldfish were introduced to Japan, where the Ryukin and Tosakin varieties were developed. For other uses, see Ming. ... Ryukin The Ryukin is a variety of fancy goldfish. ...

In 1854, goldfish were introduced to Portugal and from there to other parts of Europe. Goldfish were first introduced to North America around 1850 and quickly became popular in the United States.^[6] North American redirects here. ...

Description

The longest goldfish was measured at 47.4 cm (18.7 in) from snout to tail-fin end on March 24, 2003 in in Hapert, The Netherlands. It was owned by Joris Gijsbers.^[7] A snout is the protruding portion of an animals face, consisting of its nose, mouth, and jaw. ...

Varieties

Selective breeding over centuries has produced several color variations, some of them far removed from the "golden" color of the originally domesticated fish. Goldfish may also lose their "golden" color, or rather any goldfish color, by being kept in a dark room, which causes the scales to turn white. There are also different body shapes, fin and eye configurations. Some extreme versions of the goldfish need to be kept in an aquarium — they are much less hardy than varieties closer to the "wild" original. However, some variations are hardier, such as the Shubunkin. Selective breeding in domesticated animals is the process of developing a cultivated breed over time. ... GOLD refers to one of the following: GOLD (IEEE) is an IEEE program designed to garner more student members at the university level (Graduates of the Last Decade). ... A fin is a surface used to produce lift and thrust or to steer while traveling in water, air, or other fluid media. ... For other uses, see Eye (disambiguation). ... “Aquaria” redirects here. ... It has been suggested that Calico (fish) be merged into this article or section. ...

A crucian carp carrying a mutation for yellow pigment. Some of the first goldfish may have looked like this.

A comet goldfish. One of the most common varieties.

The main goldfish varieties are: Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (908x696, 287 KB) Beschreibung Licensing File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): Goldfish User:Trialsanderrors/FEQ Metadata This file contains additional information, probably added from the digital camera... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (908x696, 287 KB) Beschreibung Licensing File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): Goldfish User:Trialsanderrors/FEQ Metadata This file contains additional information, probably added from the digital camera... Binomial name Carassius carassius (Linnaeus, 1758) The Crucian Carp (Carassius carassius) is a member of the family Cyprinidae, which includes many other fish such as the common carp, or the smaller minnows. ... For linguistic mutation, see Apophony. ... Natural Ultramarine pigment in powdered form. ... Image File history File links Metadata No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links Metadata No higher resolution available. ...

• Black Moor
• Bubble eye
• Butterfly tail
• Calico
• Celestial eye
• Comet
• Common
• Fantail
• Lionchu
• Lionhead
• Oranda
• Panda Moor
• Pearlscale
• Pompom
• Ranchu
• Ryukin
• Shubunkin
• Telescope eye
• Veiltail

The black moor is a telescope-eyed variety of fancy goldfish that has a characteristic pair of protruding eyes. ... The Bubble Eye is a variety of goldfish, characterized by the fluid-filled sacs it has underneath either eye. ... The butterfly tail goldfish or jikin, as it is known in Japan, is believed to have been developed from the hardy wakin, a Japanese goldfish variety (also common in China and the rest of Asia) which is very similar to the river carp. ... A calico fantail goldfish. ... Trinomial name Carassius auratus auratus (Linnaeus, 1758) Celestial Goldfish (scientific name Carassius auratus) is a fancy goldfish variety that first appeared in the 18th century. ... The comet or comet-tailed goldfish is the most common variety of fancy goldfish in the United States. ... Common goldfish are a type of goldfish with no other modifications from their ancestors other than their color. ... The standard fancy type of goldfish is called a Fantail. ... There are very few or no other articles that link to this one. ... The Lionhead is a variety of goldfish similar to the Ranchu. ... Redcap Oranda An oranda is a type of goldfish characterized by a fleshy outgrowth on the top of its head and sides of its face, called a wen. ... This article needs to be wikified. ... The pearlscale or chinshurin in Japanese, is a spherical-bodied fancy goldfish with finnage similar to the fantail. ... Categories: Possible copyright violations ... Trinomial name Carassius auratus auratus (Linnaeus, 1758) The Ranchu (Carassius Auratus) is a Japanese variety of the Lionhead. ... Ryukin The Ryukin is a variety of fancy goldfish. ... It has been suggested that Calico (fish) be merged into this article or section. ... The Telescope Eye is a type of goldfish characterized by its protruding eyes. ... This article needs to be wikified. ...

Chinese classification

In Chinese goldfish keeping, goldfish are classified into 4 main types, which are not commonly used in the west.

• Dragon eye - Goldfish with extended eyes, e.g. Black Moor, Bubble Eye, and telescope eye
• Egg - goldfish without a dorsal fin. e.g. lionhead (note that a bubble eye without a dorsal fin belongs to this group)
• Wen - goldfish with dorsal fin and a fancy tail. e.g. veiltail ("wen" is also the name of the characteristic headgrowth on such strains as oranda and lionhead)
• Ce (may also be called "grass") - goldfish without anything fancy. This is the type that is usually used in Japanese carnivals, especially for "goldfish scoops".
• Jikin and wakin - goldfish with double tails, but with the body shapes of comets.

A school of fancy goldfish.

The black moor is a telescope-eyed variety of fancy goldfish that has a characteristic pair of protruding eyes. ... The Bubble Eye is a variety of goldfish, characterized by the fluid-filled sacs it has underneath either eye. ... The Telescope Eye is a type of goldfish characterized by its protruding eyes. ... The Lionhead is a variety of goldfish similar to the Ranchu. ... This article needs to be wikified. ... Image File history File links File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... Image File history File links File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ...

Rare varieties

• Tosakin or curly fantail or peacock tail goldfish
• Tamasaba or sabao
• Meteor goldfish
• Egg-fish goldfish
• Curled-gill goldfish or reversed-gill goldfish

The Tosakin or curly fantail goldfish is a Japanese variety of goldfish rarely seen in the United States. ... The Tosakin or curly fantail goldfish is a Japanese variety of goldfish rarely seen in the United States. ... The Tosakin or curly fantail goldfish is a Japanese variety of goldfish rarely seen in the United States. ... The Tamasaba or Sabao is an uncommon Japanese variety of goldfish with a body shaped similar to the Ryukin and a very long, flowing, single tail that is similar to that of a mackerel, hence its other name, Mackerel Tail. ... The Tamasaba or Sabao is an uncommon Japanese variety of goldfish with a body shaped similar to the Ryukin and a very long, flowing, single tail that is similar to that of a mackerel, hence its other name, Mackerel Tail. ... The Meteor goldfish is a strange-looking variety that has been developed by specialist breeders of fancy goldfish. ... The egg-fish goldfish is another artificial creation of specialist fancy goldfish breeders which lacks a dorsal fin and has a pronounced egg-shaped body. ... The Curled-gill or Reversed-gill goldfish is another uncommon variety of fancy goldfish that has been developed by specialist enthusiasts. ... The Curled-gill or Reversed-gill goldfish is another uncommon variety of fancy goldfish that has been developed by specialist enthusiasts. ...

New varieties

• Azuma nishiki - a nacreous-colored oranda
• Muse - a cross between a tosakin and an azuma nishiki with black eyes and white translucent scales
• Pandora bubble eye - a cross between a bubble eye and willow
• Aurora - a cross between a shubunkin and an azuma nishiki or between a calico jikin and a tosakin
• Umagyo - a cross between a calico and an comet with spotted scales and a fork tail fin
• Willow - a long and willowy telescope-eyed comet or shubunkin
• Dragon eye ranchu or squid ranchu - a telescope eyed ranchu variety
• Kintama - a cross between a black moor and an bubble eye
• Singachu or sakura singachu - a ranchu variant

“Mother of Pearl” redirects here. ... Redcap Oranda An oranda is a type of goldfish characterized by a fleshy outgrowth on the top of its head and sides of its face, called a wen. ... The Bubble Eye is a variety of goldfish, characterized by the fluid-filled sacs it has underneath either eye. ... Species About 350, including: Salix acutifolia - Violet Willow Salix alaxensis - Alaska Willow Salix alba - White Willow Salix alpina - Alpine Willow Salix amygdaloides - Peachleaf Willow Salix arbuscula - Mountain Willow Salix arbusculoides - Littletree Willow Salix arctica - Arctic Willow Salix atrocinerea Salix aurita - Eared Willow Salix babylonica - Peking Willow Salix bakko Salix barrattiana... It has been suggested that Calico (fish) be merged into this article or section. ... The butterfly tail goldfish or jikin, as it is known in Japan, is believed to have been developed from the hardy wakin, a Japanese goldfish variety (also common in China and the rest of Asia) which is very similar to the river carp. ... Calico can refer to: Calico (fabric) A cheap fabric Calico (fish) A domesticated goldfish Calico (band) An eclectic folk-rock band from Atlanta, Georgia. ... Comet Hale-Bopp Comet West For other uses, see Comet (disambiguation). ... Comet Hale-Bopp Comet West For other uses, see Comet (disambiguation). ... Trinomial name Carassius auratus auratus (Linnaeus, 1758) The Ranchu (Carassius Auratus) is a Japanese variety of the Lionhead. ... The black moor is a telescope-eyed variety of fancy goldfish that has a characteristic pair of protruding eyes. ... The Bubble Eye is a variety of goldfish, characterized by the fluid-filled sacs it has underneath either eye. ... Trinomial name Carassius auratus auratus (Linnaeus, 1758) The Ranchu (Carassius Auratus) is a Japanese variety of the Lionhead. ...

Revived varieties

• Osaka ranchu - a ranchu relative
• Izumo nankin - a ranchu-like variety

Trinomial name Carassius auratus auratus (Linnaeus, 1758) The Ranchu (Carassius Auratus) is a Japanese variety of the Lionhead. ... Trinomial name Carassius auratus auratus (Linnaeus, 1758) The Ranchu (Carassius Auratus) is a Japanese variety of the Lionhead. ...

In ponds

Goldfish pond

Goldfish are popular pond fish, since they are small, inexpensive, colourful, and very hardy. In a pond, they may even survive if brief periods of ice form on the surface, as long as there is enough oxygen remaining in the water and the pond does not freeze solid. Image File history File links Download high resolution version (834x501, 72 KB) Licensing Permission is granted to copy, distribute and/or modify this document under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1. ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (834x501, 72 KB) Licensing Permission is granted to copy, distribute and/or modify this document under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1. ... This article is about water ice. ... This article is about the chemical element and its most stable form, or dioxygen. ...

Common goldfish, London and Bristol shubunkins, jikin, wakin, comet and sometimes fantail can be kept in a pond all year round in temperate and subtropical climates. Moor, veiltail, oranda and lionhead are only safe in the summer.

Small to large ponds are fine though the depth should be at least 80 cm (30 in) to avoid freezing. During winter, goldfish will become sluggish, stop eating, and often stay on the bottom of the pond. This is completely normal; they will become active again in the spring. A filter is important to clear waste and keep the pond clean. Plants are essential as they act as part of the filtration system, as well as a food source for the fish. Plants are furthermore beneficial since they raise oxygen levels in the water.

Compatible fish include rudd, tench, orfe and koi, but the latter will require specialized care. Ramshorn snails are helpful by eating any algae that grows in the pond. It is of great importance to introduce fish that will consume excess goldfish eggs in the pond, such as orfe. Without some form of population control, goldfish ponds can easily become overstocked. Koi may also interbreed to produce a sterile new fish.
Binomial name (Linneaus, 1758) The Rudd (Scardinius erythrophthalmus) is a small fish, a widespread member of the family Cyprinidae. ... The tench (Tinca tinca) is a small fish of the Cyprinid family, and is one of the commonest and most widely spread freshwater fishes of Europe. ... See Integrated Development Environment (IDE) Integrated_development_environment Binomial name Leuciscus idus Linnaeus, 1758 The ide or orfe, Leuciscus idus, is a freshwater fish of the family Cyprinidae found across northern Europe and Asia. ... Binomial name (Linnaeus, 1758) Koi can also mean a virtual pet species in Neopets. ... An aquarium ramshorn snail The term ramshorn snail is used in the aquarium trade to describe any kind of snail whose shell spiral forms tight whorls. ...

In aquaria

The goldfish is usually classified as a coldwater fish, and it can live in an unheated aquarium. Like most carp, goldfish produce a large amount of waste both in their feces and through their gills, releasing harmful chemicals into the water. This also happens because goldfish, like other cyprinids, lack a stomach and only have an intestinal tract, and thus cannot digest an excess of proteins, unlike most tropical fish.^{[citation needed]} Build-up of this waste to toxic levels can occur in a relatively short period of time, which is often the cause of a fish's sudden death. It may be the amount of water surface area, not the water volume, that decides how many goldfish may live in a container, because this determines how much oxygen diffuses and dissolves from the air into the water; one square foot of water surface area for every inch of goldfish length (370 cm²/cm). If the water is being further aerated by way of water pump, filter or fountain, more goldfish may be kept in the container.^[8] Coldwater fish, in the context of aquariums, refers to fish species that prefer cooler water temperatures than tropical fish, typically below 20 °C (70 °F). ... A chemical substance is any material substance used in or obtained by a process in chemistry: A chemical compound is a substance consisting of two or more chemical elements that are chemically combined in fixed proportions. ... In anatomy, the stomach is a bean-shaped hollow muscular organ of the gastrointestinal tract involved in the second phase of digestion, following mastication. ... Tropical fish include fish found in tropical environments around the world, including both fresh water and salt water species. ... Toxic redirects here, but this is also the name of a song by Britney Spears; see Toxic (song) Look up toxic and toxicity in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... A pump is a mechanical device used to move liquids or gases. ... An industrial water filter with geared motor A water filter is a device which removes impurities from water by means of a fine physical barrier, chemical processes and/or biological process. ... The worlds highest fountain: King Fahds Fountain in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia Three traditional fountain features: a low jet, a pair of raised basins, and sculpture with a water theme, here hippocamps (Villa Borghese, Rome) A traditional fountain is an arrangement where water issues from a source (Latin fons...

Goldfish aquarium

Goldfish may be coldwater fish, but this does not mean they can tolerate rapid changes in temperature. The sudden shift in temperature that comes at night, for example in an office building where a goldfish might be kept in a small office tank, could kill them, especially in winter. Temperatures under about 10 °C (50 °F) are dangerous to goldfish. Conversely, temperatures over 25 °C (77 °F) can be extremely damaging for goldfish (this is the main reason why they shouldn't be kept in tropical tanks).^[9] Image File history File links Goldfishies. ... Image File history File links Goldfishies. ...

The popular image of a goldfish in a small fishbowl is an enduring one. Unfortunately, the risk of stunting, deoxygenation, ammonia/nitrite poisoning caused by such a small environment means that this is hardly a suitable home for any species of fish, and some countries have banned the sale of bowls of that type under animal rights legislation. ^[10]

The supposed reputation of goldfish dying quickly is often due to poor care amongst uninformed buyers looking for a cheap pet.^[11] The true lifespan of a well-cared-for goldfish in captivity can extend beyond 10 years.

Goldfish, like all fish that are kept as pets, do not like to be petted. In fact, touching a goldfish can be quite dangerous to its health, as it can cause the protective slime coat to be damaged or removed, which opens the fish’s skin up to infection from bacteria or parasites in the water.

Fancy goldfish are unlikely to survive for long in the wild as they are handicapped by their bright fin colors; however it is not beyond the bounds of possibility that such a fish, especially the more hardy varieties such as the Shubunkin, could survive long enough to breed with its wild cousins. Common and comet goldfish can survive, and even thrive, in any climate in which a pond for them can be created. Introduction of wild goldfish can cause problems for native species. Within three breeding generations, the vast majority of the goldfish spawn will have reverted to their natural olive color. Since they are carp, goldfish are also capable of breeding with certain other species of carp and creating hybrid species.^[12]

Research by Dr. Yoshiichi Matsui, a professor of fish culture at Kinki University in Japan, suggests that there are subtle differences which demonstrate that while the crucian carp is the ancestor of the goldfish, they have sufficiently diverged to be considered separate species.^[13] Binomial name Carassius carassius (Linnaeus, 1758) The Crucian Carp (Carassius carassius) is a member of the family Cyprinidae, which includes many other fish such as the common carp, or the smaller minnows. ... Divergent evolution occurs when two or more biological characteristics have a common evolutionary origin but have diverged over evolutionary time. ...

If left in the dark for a period of time, a goldfish will turn almost gray. Goldfish have pigment production in response to light, which is almost like our tanning in the sun. Fish have cells called chromatophores that produce pigments which reflects light, and gives colouration. The colour of a goldfish is determined by which pigments are in the cells, how many pigments molecules there are, and whether the pigment is grouped inside the cell or is spaced throughout the cytoplasm. So if a goldfish is kept in the dark it will appear lighter in the morning, and over a long period of time will lose its colour.^{[citation needed]} Zebrafish chromatophores mediate background adaptation on exposure to dark (top) and light environments (bottom). ...

Feeding

Common flake fish food

Like most fish, goldfish are opportunistic feeders. When an excess of food is offered, they will produce more waste and feces, partly due to incomplete digestion of protein. Overfed fish can sometimes be recognized by feces trailing from their cloaca. Goldfish need only be fed as much food as they can consume in one to two minutes, and no more than three times a day. Extreme overfeeding can be fatal, typically by bursting of the intestines. This happens most often with selectively bred goldfish, which have a convoluted intestinal tract as opposed to a straight one in common goldfish. Novice fishkeepers who have newly purchased ryukin, fantail, oranda, lionhead or other fancy goldfish will need to watch their fish carefully for a few days, as it is important to know how much the goldfish will eat in a couple minutes of time. They also die without eating in 4-8 days. Image File history File links FishesFood. ... Image File history File links FishesFood. ... In zoological anatomy, a cloaca is the posterior opening that serves as the only such opening for the intestinal, urinary, and genital tracts of certain animal species. ... The intestine is the portion of the alimentary canal extending from the stomach to the anus and, in humans and other mammals, consists of two segments, the small intestine and the large intestine. ...

Special goldfish food has a lower protein and higher carbohydrate content. It is sold in two consistencies - flakes that float at the top of the aquarium, and pellets that sink slowly to the bottom. “Aquaria” redirects here. ...

Goldfish enthusiasts will supplement this diet with shelled peas (with outer skins removed), blanched green leafy vegetables, and bloodworms. Young goldfish also benefit from the addition of brine shrimp to their diet. As with all animals, individual goldfish will display varied food preferences. In any case, it is better to feed them a variety of foods listed above. Binomial name L. Percentages are relative to US recommendations for adults. ... This article lacks information on the importance of the subject matter. ... Chinese cabbage Swiss chard Leaf vegetables, also called greens or leafy greens, are plant leaves eaten as a vegetable, sometimes accompanied by tender petioles and shoots. ... Blood worm or bloodworm is an ambiguous term and can refer to: A midge larva The polychaete Glycera This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which lists other pages that might otherwise share the same title. ... For non-zoological information on this animal as a pet, see Sea-Monkey. ...

See also: Fish food

This article does not cite any references or sources. ...

Memory

Research by the School of Psychology at the University of Plymouth in 2003 demonstrated that goldfish have a memory-span of at least three months and can distinguish between different shapes, colors and sounds. They were trained to push a lever to earn a food reward; when the lever was fixed to work only for an hour a day, the fish soon learned to activate it at the correct time. ^[14] The University of Plymouth is the largest university in the southwest of England, with over 30,000 students and is the fifth largest UK university based on student population. ...

Behaviour

Behaviour can vary widely both because goldfish are housed in a variety of environments, and because their behavior can be conditioned by their owners.

Scientific studies done on the matter have shown that goldfish have strong associative learning abilities, as well as social learning skills. In addition, their strong visual acuity allows them to distinguish between different humans. It is quite possible that owners will notice the fish react favorably to them (swimming to the front of the glass, swimming rapidly around the tank, and going to the surface mouthing for food) while hiding when other people approach the tank. Over time, goldfish should learn to associate their owners and other humans with food, often “begging” for food whenever their owners approach. Auditory responses from a blind goldfish proved that he recognized one particular family member and a friend by voice, or vibration of sound. This behavior was very remarkable because it showed that he recognized the vocal vibration or sound of two people specifically out of seven in the house. In psychology, visual perception is the ability to interpret visible light information reaching the eyes which is then made available for planning and action. ...

Goldfish also display a range of social behaviours. When new fish are introduced to the tank, aggressive "bully-like" social behaviours may sometimes be seen, such as chasing the new fish, or fin nipping. These usually stop within a few days.^[15] Fish that have been living together are often seen displaying schooling behaviour, as well as displaying the same types of feeding behaviours. Goldfish may display similar behaviours when responding to their reflections in a mirror. In sociology, social behaviour means a behaviour directed at other people, but one that is not designed to induce any responce. ... This article is about swarms in biology. ...

Goldfish that have constant visual contact with humans also seem to stop associating them as a threat. After being kept in a tank for several weeks,sometimes months, it becomes possible to feed a goldfish by hand without it reacting in a frightened manner. Some goldfish have been trained to swim through mazes, push a ball through a hoop, or even swim in a synchronized routine by their owners.^[16] For other uses, see Maze (disambiguation). ...

Goldfish have behaviours, both as groups and as individuals that stem from native carp behaviour. They are a generalist species with varied feeding, breeding, and predators avoidance behaviors that contribute to their success in the environment. As fish they can be described as “friendly” towards each other, very rarely will a goldfish harm another goldfish, nor do the males harm the females during breeding. The only real threat that goldfish present to each other is in food competition. Commons, comets, and other faster varieties can easily eat all the food during a feeding before fancy varieties can reach it. This can be a problem that leads to stunted growth or possible starvation of fancier varieties when they are kept in a pond with their single-tailed brethren. As a result, when mixing breeds in an aquarium environment, care should be taken to combine only breeds with similar body type and swim characteristics. This snapping turtle is trying to make a meal of a Canada goose, but the goose is too wary. ... Biological reproduction is the biological process by which new individual organisms are produced. ... Competition is the act of striving against others for the purpose of achieving gain, such as income, pride, amusement, or dominance. ... Common goldfish are a type of goldfish with no other modifications from their ancestors other than their color. ... The comet or comet-tailed goldfish is the most common variety of fancy goldfish in the United States. ... This article is about extreme malnutrition. ...

Native environment

Goldfish natively live in ponds, and other still or slow moving bodies of water in depths up to 20 m (65 ft). Their native climate is subtropical to tropical and they live in freshwater with a pH of 6.0–8.0,preferably a pHof 7.5, a water hardness of 5.0–19.0 dGH, and a temperature range of 40 to 90* F (4 to 41 °C) although they will not survive long at the higher temperatures. They are considered ill-suited even to live in a heated tropical fish tank, as they are used to the greater amount of oxygen in unheated tanks, and some believe that the heat burns them. However, goldfish have been observed living for centuries in outdoor ponds in which the temperature often spikes above 86 °F (30 °C). When found in nature, the goldfish are actually an olive green color. Two people reflected in a fish pond A pond is typically a man made body of water smaller than a lake. ... Subtropical (or semitropical) areas are those adjacent to the tropics, usually roughly defined as the ranges 23. ... The tropics are the geographic region of the Earth centered on the equator and limited in latitude by the two tropics: the Tropic of Cancer in the north and the Tropic of Capricorn in the southern hemisphere. ... For the village on the Isle of Wight, see Freshwater, Isle of Wight. ... For other uses, see PH (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see PH (disambiguation). ... The title given to this article is incorrect due to technical limitations. ...

In the wild, the diet consists of crustaceans, insects, and various plants. For the Dutch band, see Crustacean (band). ... Orders Subclass Apterygota Archaeognatha (bristletails) Thysanura (silverfish) Subclass Pterygota Infraclass Paleoptera (Probably paraphyletic) Ephemeroptera (mayflies) Odonata (dragonflies and damselflies) Infraclass Neoptera Superorder Exopterygota Grylloblattodea (ice-crawlers) Mantophasmatodea (gladiators) Plecoptera (stoneflies) Embioptera (webspinners) Zoraptera (angel insects) Dermaptera (earwigs) Orthoptera (grasshoppers, etc) Phasmatodea (stick insects) Blattodea (cockroaches) Isoptera (termites) Mantodea (mantids) Psocoptera...

While it is true that goldfish can survive in a fairly wide temperature range, the optimal range for indoor fish is 68 to 75 °F (20 to 23 °C). Pet goldfish, as with many other fish, will usually eat more food than it needs if given, which can lead to fatal intestinal blockage. They are omnivorous and do best with a wide variety of fresh vegetables and fruit to supplement a flake or pellet diet staple. ^[17]

Sudden changes in water temperature can be fatal to any fish, including the goldfish. When transferring a store-bought goldfish to a pond or a tank, the temperature in the storage container should be equalized by leaving it in the destination container for at least 30 minutes before releasing the goldfish. In addition, some temperature changes might simply be too great for even the hardy goldfish to adjust to. For example, buying a goldfish in a store, where the water might be 70 °F (approximately 21 °C), and hoping to release it into your garden pond at 40 °F (4 °C) will probably result in the death of the goldfish, even if you use the slow immersion method just described. A goldfish will need a lot more time, perhaps days or weeks, to adjust to such a different temperature.

Because goldfish like to eat live plants, the presence of goldfish in a planted aquarium can be quite a problem. ^[18] Only a few aquarium plant species can survive in a tank with goldfish, for example the Cryptocoryne and Anubias species, but they require special attention to ensure they are not uprooted. Artificial plants made of plastic are often more durable, but might irritate or harm a fish's skin if it comes in contact with the plants.^{[citation needed]} Artificial plants made of silk are a reasonable alternative. ^[19] Species See text Cryptocoryne (water trumpet) is a genus of aquatic monocot plants from the family Araceae (arums). ... Species See text Anubias is a genus of seven species of aquatic and semi-aquatic flowering plants in the family Araceae, native to tropical central and western Africa. ...

See also: List of freshwater aquarium plant species

Aquatic plants are used to give the aquarium a realistic appearance, oxygenate the water, and provide habitat for fish, especially fry (babies) and for invertebrate species. ...

Breeding

Reproducing goldfish

Goldfish, like all cyprinids, lay eggs. They produce adhesive eggs that attach to aquatic vegetation. The eggs hatch within 48 to 72 hours, releasing fry large enough to be described as appearing like “an eyelash with two eyeballs”. Within a week or so, the fry begin to look more like a goldfish in shape, although it can take as much as a year before they develop a mature goldfish color; until then they are a metallic brown like their wild ancestors. In their first weeks of existence, the fry grow remarkably fast - an adaptation born of the high risk of getting devoured by the adult goldfish (or other fish and insects) in their environment. Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Genera (many, see text) The family Cyprinidae, named after the Greek word for goldfish, consists of the carps and minnows. ...

Some scientists believe goldfish can only grow to sexual maturity if given enough water and the right nutrition. However if kept well, they may breed indoors, but not in a small fishbowl. Breeding usually happens after a significant change in temperature, often in spring. Eggs should then be separated into another tank, as the parents will likely eat any of their young that they happen upon. Dense plants such as Cabomba or Elodea or a spawning mop are used to catch the eggs. Species See text Cabomba is a waterplant genus, one of two belonging to the family Cabombaceae. ... Species Elodea canadensis Elodea nuttallii Elodea is a genus of aquatic plants often called the Water weeds. ...

Most goldfish can and will breed if left to themselves, particularly in pond settings. Males chase the females around, bumping and nudging them in order to prompt the females to release her eggs, which the males then fertilize. Due to the strange shapes of some extreme modern bred goldfish, certain types can no longer breed among themselves^{[citation needed]}. In these cases, a method of artificial breeding is used called hand stripping. This method keeps the breed going, but can be dangerous and harmful to the fish if not done correctly.^{[citation needed]}

Like some other popular aquarium fish, such as the guppy, goldfish, and other carp are frequently added to stagnant bodies of water in order to reduce the mosquito populations in some parts of the world, especially to prevent the spread of West Nile Virus, which relies on mosquitoes to migrate. However, the introduction of goldfish has often had negative consequences for local ecosystems.^[20][21] As a result, goldfish are considered a pest in many countries, including the USA.^{[citation needed]} For other uses, see Guppy (disambiguation). ... Water stagnation occurs when water stops flowing. ... For other uses, see Mosquito (disambiguation). ... West Nile virus (WNV) is a virus of the family Flaviviridae; part of the Japanese encephalitis (JE) antigenic complex of viruses, it is found in both tropical and temperate regions. ... IT is a new species. ... For other uses, see Ecological Systems Theory. ...

Controversy

Although edible, goldfish are rarely eaten. A fad among North American college students for many years was swallowing goldfish as a stunt and as an initiation process for fraternities. The first recorded instance was in 1939 at Harvard University.^[22] The practice gradually fell out of popularity over the course of several decades and is now rare.^[22] Goldfish swallowing was a college fad of the 1930s, consisting of exactly what its name implies. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... For other uses of terms redirecting here, see US (disambiguation), USA (disambiguation), and United States (disambiguation) Motto In God We Trust(since 1956) (From Many, One; Latin, traditional) Anthem The Star-Spangled Banner Capital Washington, D.C. Largest city New York City National language English (de facto)1 Demonym American... An under 16s motorbike display team perform a potentially dangerous stunt Freestyle & Stunt Show 2007 - Landrévarzec A stunt is an unusual and difficult physical feat, or any act requiring a special skill, performed for artistic purposes in TV, theatre or cinema. ... The terms fraternity and sorority (from the Latin words and , meaning brother and sister respectively) may be used to describe many social and charitable organizations, for example the Lions Club, Epsilon Sigma Alpha, Rotary International, Optimist International, or the Shriners. ... Harvard redirects here. ...

In the Belgian city of Geraardsbergen an annual festival is held where the medieval tradition of swallowing a small fish swimming in a cup of wine still survives. There have been a couple of court cases in the last decade but the tradition seems to survive nonetheless. The fish used is often a goldfish because of its size and price.^{[citation needed]} National motto: Dutch: Eendracht maakt macht; French: Lunion fait la force; German: Einigkeit macht stark (English: Strength lies in unity) Official language Dutch, French, German Capital Brussels Largest City Brussels King Albert II Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt Area  - Total  - % water Ranked 148th 30,528 km² 6. ... Geraardsbergen is a city and municipality located in the Belgian province of East Flanders. ...

Goldfish being scooped up.

In many countries, the operators of carnivals and fairs commonly give goldfish away in plastic bags as prizes for winning games. In the United Kingdom, the government proposed banning this practice as part of its Animal Welfare Bill,^[23][24] though this has since been amended to only prevent goldfish being given as prizes to unaccompanied minors.^[25] However, in Rome, Italy, the city passed a law in late 2005, which banned the use of goldfish or other animals as carnival prizes. Rome has also banned the keeping of goldfish in goldfish bowls, on the premise that it is cruel for a fish to live in such a small, confined space.^[10] Image File history File links Goldfish Scooped up. ... Image File history File links Goldfish Scooped up. ... This article describes the festival season. ... Roundabouts (or carousels) are traditional attractions, often seen at fairs. ... A prize is an award given to a person or a group of people to recognise and reward actions or achievements. ... For other uses, see Rome (disambiguation). ...

In the UK, the Animal Welfare Act 2006 prohibits deliberate and “unnecessary suffering” to animals, but contrary to widespread belief, it does not explicitly outlaw the feeding of live feeder fish such as goldfish to other fish. However, it does prohibit introducing two animals for the purpose of “fighting, wrestling or baiting”.^[23] Nonetheless, the assumption is that a legal case could be made to class the use of feeder fish as a "fight" and though as-yet untried in the courts, the risk of such a prosecution has led many retailers and hobbyists simply to treat the use of feeder fish in the UK as illegal.^{[citation needed]}

See also

Several closely related species also have orange varieties:

• Golden tench
• Koi
• List of freshwater aquarium fish species

The tench (Tinca tinca) is a small fish of the Cyprinid family, and is one of the commonest and most widely spread freshwater fishes of Europe. ... Binomial name (Linnaeus, 1758) Koi can also mean a virtual pet species in Neopets. ... A vast number of species of fish have been successfully kept in the home aquarium. ...

References

Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 209th day of the year (210th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 202nd day of the year (203rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ... is the 35th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 202nd day of the year (203rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 202nd day of the year (203rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 171st day of the year (172nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... John Lloyd (born 1951 in Dover, England; birth name: John Hardress Wilfred Lloyd), British comedy writer and producer. ... John Mitchinson is the head of research for the British television panel game QI, and co-author of The Book of General Ignorance with QIs creator John Lloyd. ... QI: The Book of General Ignorance (UK cover) The Book of General Ignorance is a series of books based on the final round in the intellectual British panel game QI, written by John Lloyd and John Mitchinson. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 202nd day of the year (203rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... The Reader’s Digest Association, Inc. ... The Reader’s Digest Association, Inc. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 209th day of the year (210th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 202nd day of the year (203rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) is the United Kingdom government department responsible for environmental protection, food production and standards, agriculture, fisheries and rural communities. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 334th day of the year (335th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... BBC News website in June 2007. ... BBC News website in June 2007. ...

Further reading

• “An Interpet Guide to Fancy Goldfish” by Dr. Chris Andrews, Interpet Publishing, 2002 - ISBN 1-902389-64-6
• “Fancy Goldfish: A Complete Guide to Care and Collecting” by Dr. Erik L. Johnson, D.V.M. and Richard E. Hess, Weatherhill, Shambala Publications, Inc., 2006 - ISBN 0-8348-0448-4
• “Goldfish Varieties and Genetics: A Handbook for Breeders” by Joseph Smartt, Publisher: Blackwell Science (July 30, 2001), 216 pages ISBN 0852382650 and ISBN 978-0852382653