Scientific Name(s): Carassius auratus auratus

Common Name(s): Goldfish, Common Goldfish, Feeder Goldfish

Family: Cyprinidae

Species Type: Cyprinids

Maximum Size: 15 inches

Life Span: 20 years

Natural Habitat: Asian ponds, but now lives throughout the world in man made ponds.

Minimum Tank Size: 40 gallons

Tank Region: Bottom of tank

Possible Tank Mates: Other goldfish or large coldwater species.

Breeding Information: Goldfish breed readily. In the spawning season, males develop tubercules (small white spots on the gill cover and head). At other times, and in common Goldfish with largely unaltered fins, the anal fin of the male is concave, while on the female it is convex. they spawn as waters warm. After courtship, a mature pair may produce over 1,000 eggs which hatch in about five days. The fry are easy to feed on small live foods.

Sexing Information: Golds are difficult to sex. Although it *is* possible. The best and most accurate way, in my opinion, is the tubercules that develop on the gill plates of the mature male. They appear to be tiny white spots, you probably won't even notice them without close examination of the fish. Females also are usually a big larger fuller bodied. It is nearly impossible to sex a Goldfish accurately under the age of 1.5 - 2 years of age, even then it is quite a task.

Diet: Omnivorous. Flake and pellet foods; also include some vegetable matter and live or frozen foods; fish may nibble at plants.

Temperment: Peaceful

Common Diseases: None specific to species