Goldfish are available in many sizes, shapes , and colors. It took breeders many centuries of selective breeding to create the countless different varieties of goldfish that we see today. Types of Goldfish Common Goldfish Comet Goldfish Fantail Goldfish Shubunkin Goldfish Ryukin Goldfish Bubble-eye Goldfish Lionhead Goldfish Ranchu Goldfish Pearlscale Goldfish Celestial Goldfish Black Moor Goldfish Oranda Goldfish         Fish, including species such as goldfish and koi, are one of the most common type of pets in the world. Goldfish and koi are members of the carp family, but they are different from each other in that goldfish do not have any barbels, which are tactile organs containing the taste buds, around the mouth. This particular characteristic allows them to be easily distinguished from koi. Goldfish actually exist in a far wider range of colors than their name implies. They are suitable for both ponds and home aquariums, although the different color varieties can vary in terms of their hardiness, and not all are suited to being kept outdoors all year in areas where temperatures can fluctuate widely. an aquarium tank with a group of oranda goldfish

The popular image of a goldfish in a bowl has been depicted the world over - from ancient pottery created during the Ming Dynasty in China to modern popular comic strips. There are actually over 125 varieties of goldfish. All these varieties are thought to have originated from the Crucian carp, which can reach a length of around 40-50 cm. The goldfish is considered the oldest domesticated fish; its story began long before hobbyists began keeping pet fish in aquariums.

CRUCIAN CARP - A WILD GOLDFISH

A WILD GOLDFISH (carassius auratus) WITH YELLOW PIGMENTATION

It was common for people to keep private carp ponds in China during the Tang dynasty. Other sites for these ponds were in the grounds of monasteries and temples , where monks would watch over them as guardians. It was during this period that various genetic mutations caused some of these carps to exhibit a golden coloration instead of their natural dull colors. These golden carps were selected and bred over many generations.

The fish continued to be popular during the reign of the Song Dynasty. The emperor Chao Kou, who was something of a goldfish enthusiast, even ordered the collection of these golden fish to help restock his ponds. Imperial favour could well have been a very potent influence in fostering the popularity of the goldfish.

Goldfish may also lose their golden color , or rather any goldfish color, by varying the spectrum of light under which they are kept, thus causing the scales to change color over a period of time.

There are mainly two types of goldfish. They are the egg-shaped body goldfish and the flat body type. The flat body types generally are the hardiest, most competitive , and easiest to care for - thus they are most suited for beginners. Flat body type goldfish include the common, comet, wakin, jikin, and shubunkin goldfish. Some of the more popular round or egg-shaped goldfish include the fantail, ryukin, veiltail, oranda, pearlscale, telescope-eyed, black moor, ranchu, bubble-eye , and many others. It is important to note that most egg-shaped goldfish, with the exception of the fantail, ryukin, and black moor, are not suited to be kept in an outdoor environment such as a pond.

GOLDFISH AND KOI COMPARISON

Koi and some variety of goldfish are popular pond fish, since they are very hardy. They can survive in a pond in extreme temperatures, as long as there is adequate oxygen and the pond does not completely freeze over.

Common (sometimes called feeders) goldfish , London and Bristol shubunkins, jikin, wakin, comet, and fantail can be kept in a pond all year round in temperate and subtropical climates. Moor, veiltail, oranda and lionhead are more fragile and can only be kept in ponds during the summer in cooler regions.

During winter months, goldfish will become sluggish , stop eating, and often stay on the bottom of the pond. This is completely normal behavior; once the temperature is warmer they will become active again.

Goldfish and koi are sometimes referred to as coldwater fish, which just means they can survive in an unheated aquarium. Eventhough they are coldwater fish, this does not imply that they can tolerate very rapid fluctuations in water temperatures. Temperatures below 10 'C or 50 'F are dangerous to fancy goldfish varieties and can increase their chances of becoming sick and ill, though comet and common varieties can be exposed to these low temperatures without any serious problems.

Although goldfish bowls are very popular, they are not an ideal environment to keep goldfish. Goldfish are very easy to care for but they still require cleaned and well-aerated water, which is hard to maintain in a goldfish bowl. Housing a goldfish in a bowl can increase the risk of nitrate/ammonia poisoning and stunting the goldfish.

Goldfish will consume almost anything. The kind of food goldfish will eat includes flakes, cooked peas, and insect larvae. Flake food often is preferred over pellet food due to the fact that they are easier for the goldfish to see and to clean after.

In general the lifespan of goldfish and koi is over 10 years.

Goldfish behavior and habits can differ greatly both because goldfish are housed in many type of environments, and because their behavior can be conditioned by those who own them.

Goldfish can also show a range of social behaviors. When new fish are introduced to an aquarium, aggressive "bully-like" social behaviors may sometimes become evident, such as chasing the new fish, or fin nipping. These behaviors, though, usually cease within a couple of days.

Goldfish breeding started over 2000 years ago in ancient China. Koi breeding, by comparison, only started a little less than 200 years ago in northern Japan . Goldfish like all cyprinids, lay eggs. They produce adhesive eggs that attach to aquatic vegetation. The eggs usually hatch in three to five days when temperatures are kept around 66-75'F.

Goldfish should be kept in conditions corresponding to their natural habitat. The aquarium should allow enough room for the fish to swim freely. Ideally , the water in the aquarium should also be filtered. The use of a heater is not an absolute requirement as with tropical fish species.