freshwater
Goldfish
Carassius auratus
Compressed body shape, large scales, typically golden-orange coloration, rounded fins, and a protruding mouth without barbels.
- Habitat
- Freshwater ponds, slow-moving rivers, lakes, and ditches…
- Size & weight
- Typically 4 to 8 inches in length; can grow up to 14 inc…
- Diet
- Omnivorous, feeding on plant matter, detritus, small cru…
Identified More freshwater →
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Physical characteristics
Compressed body shape, large scales, typically golden-orange coloration, rounded fins, and a protruding mouth without barbels.
Habitat & distribution
Freshwater ponds, slow-moving rivers, lakes, and ditches with abundant vegetation and muddy bottoms.
Behavior
Social, active, and peaceful schooling fish that spends much of its time exploring the bottom of the water column.
Diet
Omnivorous, feeding on plant matter, detritus, small crustaceans, and insect larvae.
Reproduction
Egg-scatterer, spawning in shallow, weed-choked areas during the spring when water temperatures rise.
Ecological role
Acts as an omnivorous benthic disturber, sometimes increasing water turbidity by stirring up sediment while foraging.
Similar species
Prussian carp and Crucian carp, which generally lack the bright golden-orange coloration and have slightly different fin ray counts.
Identification tips
Look for the lack of barbels near the mouth, large cycloid scales, and the characteristic golden-orange coloration.
Interesting facts
Goldfish were first selectively bred from wild carp in ancient China over 1,000 years ago and have since developed dozens of distinct varieties.