Native to China and Japan. Transplanted widely. Preference is there for water which is quite and weedy at the bottom.

They feed on aquatic plants and small aquatic animals. Feed on a diet, which is having 40% protein. It look like carp except for the barbells and dentition. It has got various color patterns and shapes like bulging eyes and different shapes of fins.

Spawning is initiated when the water temperature reaches 60^oF. 2000- 4000 eggs are released in each intermittent spawning which may occur once every 5 days or in 48 hour intervals. Eggs will attach to the objects in the water and hatch within 2-7 days. Spawn in late spring, and seem to interbreed freely with carp.

May reach size up to several pounds. Fancy goldfish will reach the market size after three months.

One of the most important aquarium fishes. It is one of the widely traded variety of aquarium fishes. It has been bread extensively for the different qualities like shape and color. Also used as a bait fish in sport fishing.

Gold fish farming might have started well back in 970 AD. They were brought to USA in 1800s. They are cultured in large numbers for the use in the sport fishing as baitfish. Also large scale rearing of gold fish is done as feed fish which is fed to the predatory fishes. Like the carp, goldfish are generally considered a nuisance by fishermen.

Giudice, J.J., D.L. Gray, and J.M. Martin. 1981. Manual for bait fish culture in the South Little Rock. University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service.

Martin M. 1983. Goldfish Farming. Part I. Aquaculture Magazine 9(3): 38-40.

Martin M. 1983. Goldfish Farming. Part II. Aquaculture Magazine 9(4): 38-40.

Martin M. 1983. Goldfish Farming. Part II. Aquaculture Magazine 9(5): 30-34.

Smith, H.M. 1924. Goldfish and their cultivation in America. National Geographic 46: 375-400.

Bardach, J.E., J.H. Ryther, and W.O. McLarney. 1972. Aquaculture The farming and husbandry of freshwater and marine organisms. John Wiley & Sons New York.

Gray, D. Leroy. Baitfish. Publication 120. Stoneville, MS: Southern Regional Aquaculture Center, Nov. 1988.