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The common goldfish is a breed of goldfish famous for its bright, attractive appearance and friendly nature. An outcome of selective breeding, it derives its ancestry from the Prussian carp, similar to the latter in many aspects other than the shape and color. It is often confused with the comet goldfish though both have visible differences. The commonest of all goldfish species, many fancy varieties develop from this breed.
| Other Names | Feeder goldfish, feeder fish |
| Origin | China |
| Type | Freshwater fish |
| Conservation Status | Not recorded |
| Breed Standards | BAS |
| Behavioral Characteristics | Peaceful, sociable, friendly, adaptable, hardy |
| School Size | 4 – 5 |
| Tail Type | Single tailed (one claudal and anal fin) |
| Physical Traits | Elongated, well-proportioned body, broad head, forked caudal fin, and slightly concave dorsal fin, large eyes, pharyngeal teeth inside throat (to crush food) |
| Scales | 27 – 31 arranged in a lateral line; with no scales on their head |
| Colors | Orange, red, black, olive green, yellow, blue, black, red and white, yellow and white, white and black |
| Size (How big do they get) | Small; 2 inches (10 cm), can grow up to 7-8 inches (18-20 cm) when kept in a big, spacious tank |
| Growth Rate | An inch per year (slowing down with maturation) |
| Lifespan (How long do they live) | Approximately 10 years (longer if well maintained) |
| Sexual Dimorphism | Present; Male: Thin, streamlined body; Female: Round, thick body |
| Probable Diseases | Swim bladder disease, fin rot, white spot disease, fungal infection, ammonia poisoning, fish lice, bacterial disease, popeye |
| Approximate Price | $30 |
| Care Level | Beginner |
| Tank Size | 20 – 30 gallons (76-114 liters) |
Water Parameters
| pH Level | 7.2 – 7.6 |
| Temperature | 68 – 74° F (20 – 23°C) |
| Hardness | 11 – 17 dGH |
| Aquarium Water Flow | Moderate to Strong |
Tank Ambience
| Lighting | Brightly lit |
| Substrate Type | Sand, gravel, real or faux plants |
| Tank Mates | Compatible with: White cloud mountain minnow, rosy barb, pond loach, zebra danio, cherry shrimp, hillstream loach, fantails Incompatible with: Suckermouth catfish, cory catfish, betta, cichlid, common molly, tetras, black moor goldfish |
| Suitable Position in the Tank | Middle |
Feeding
| Diet | Flakes, pellets, boiled soft vegetables, and live foods like brine shrimp, aquarium snails, daphnia, and tubifex worms |
| Frequency | 2 – 3 times a day |
The common goldfish are large with a shorter finnage, while the comet goldfish have a short, slender body but a longer finnage. The common goldfish also has a short, stubby tail, while the comet’s tail is relatively long.
No, as the common goldfish often targets the slow-moving and fragile fancy goldfish.
A filter would help to clear all toxic wastes and lessen the chances of bacterial or fungal infections that they are prone to. However, they do not need a heater unless the aquarium is located outdoors where the temperature decreases drastically.
