Animal Profiles
Fish

Goldfish

Carassius auratus

Living

Living individuals or members of this group exist today. This does not mean they are safe from extinction.

The goldfish is a domesticated freshwater fish with many selectively bred forms. Wild-type colours and body shapes differ from some familiar ornamental varieties.

Carassius auratus

לינה אבוגוש · CC BY-SA

At a glance

Location
Native ancestry is Asian; domestic and introduced populations occur widely beyond that range.
Habitat
Rivers and lakes
Diet
Omnivore
Food
Small invertebrates, plant material and other available food.

Classification

Common name
Goldfish
Browse group
Fish
Scientific name or taxon
Carassius auratus
Taxon rank
species
Order
Cypriniformes
Family
Cyprinidae
Genus
Carassius
Source classification
Actinopterygii

Taxonomy checked against GBIF. For breeds and hybrids, this describes the listed parent taxon.

Three things to know

  • Goldfish are omnivorous.
  • Breeding has produced many colours and fin shapes.
  • They commonly associate in groups.

Habitat and range

Native ancestry is Asian; domestic and introduced populations occur widely beyond that range.

Appearance and adaptations

Breeding has produced varied colours, body shapes and fins. A lateral-line system helps detect movements in the surrounding water.

Diet and behaviour

Goldfish forage around vegetation and the substrate. They are social fish that commonly associate with others rather than defending solitary feeding territories.

Sources

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