Goldfish

Goldfish (Carassius auratus) are freshwater fish in the family Cyprinidae. They were domesticated from wild carp in East Asia, with breeding developed in China over centuries and spreading to Europe in the 17th and 18th centuries.

Goldfish show a wide range of shapes, colors, and fins due to selective breeding. Common goldfish reach 6-8 inches in home aquariums; some varieties such as the comet can grow larger, while fancy types may remain smaller. Body colors range from bright orange to red, yellow, white, and black, and many have double tail fins or other ornamental traits.

They are cold-water or cool-water species and can live in outdoor ponds or indoors in tanks. They prefer stable temperatures around 65-75 F (18-24 C), and require clean water with low ammonia and nitrite, pH roughly 6.5-7.5. They produce a lot of waste and need adequate filtration and regular water changes.

Omnivorous; feed high-quality pellet or flake foods, plus vegetables and live/frozen foods in moderation.

Lifespan can exceed 10-15 years with proper care; some individuals live 20 years or more. They reproduce by laying eggs in spring; males chase females; eggs stick to plants and hatch in about 4-7 days; hatchlings require small foods initially.