General Information
| Common Name | Fantail Goldfish |
| Scientific Name | Carassius auratus |
| Average Lifespan | 4 - 14 Years |
Physical Description
Egg-shaped body, high dorsal fin, long quadruple caudal fin, and no shoulder hump with a solid reddish orange colour. They can also be found with Sarasa varieties with brilliant red with white patches as well as Calico with random speaks of red, orange, gold, black and bronze on a white background.
Pond Size
One gallon per inch of fish (length), i.e. ten 10 inch goldfish would require at least a 100 gallon pond. Please consider that your fish may be small now, but they do grow.
Water Changes
Goldfish produce more waste than most other freshwater fish and benefit greatly from more frequent water changes.
Temperature
Goldfish are a cold water fish and will do best at temperatures between 65 - 72° F (18°- 22° C). The Comet Goldfish can tolerate temperatures a few degrees above freezing, as long as the cooling drops only a few degrees a day. A quick temperature drop can kill them, so if you live in a very cold climate, a heater is advisable.
Care
Goldfish are recommended for beginners. They are an easy fish to keep as they are not picky and will readily eat what is offered.
These fish can be quite personable and are delightful to watch. They are some of the most graceful of the elongated goldfish, and this quality is emphasized by their long tails. They are active, rapid swimmers and tend to leap out of the water occasionally.
They are hardy and can tolerate cold water temperatures. They are moderate in size but are active and fast, so will get along well with Koi. Also, Comets usually won't uproot plants, but they will readily spawn. Care should be taken, so they don't quickly overpopulate your pond.
Diet
Diet Type: Omnivore
Flake Food: Yes
Tablet / Pellet: Yes
Live foods (fishes, shrimps, worms): Some of Diet
Vegetable Food: Some of Diet
Meaty Food: Some of Diet
Feeding Frequency: Several feedings per day
Origin & History
It was first bred in the late 1800’s in the United States, and has since become one of the best known and most widespread fish in the aquarium hobby.
The goldfish of today are descendants of a species of wild carp known as the Prussian Carp, Silver Prussian carp, or Gibel Carp Carassius gibelio, which was described by Bloch in 1782. These wild carp originated in Asia; Central Asia (Siberia). They inhabit the slow moving and stagnant waters of rivers, lakes, ponds, and ditches feeding on plants, detritus, small crustaceans, and insects.
