Common Goldfish (Carassius auratus)

Common Goldfish (Carassius auratus)

Description of the Common Goldfish (Carassius auratus)
The Common Goldfish (Carassius auratus) is ideal choice for an aquarium or a garden pond. It is a hardy fish that can cope with cold water much better than other fish species. The Common Goldfish (Carassius auratus) are usually bright orange in color with a metallic gloss however, they can also be red, yellow, blue, brown or black. They can grow up to 20cm in a tank and even larger in an outdoor pond.

Profile of the Common Goldfish (Carassius auratus)
This Profile contains interesting facts and information about the Common Goldfish (Carassius auratus) species.

• Size: Up to 30cm

• Fish Tank conditions: Cold Water Tank, Pond

• Diet / Feeding: Dried Flake Fish Food

• Temperament: Good Community Fish

• Habitat: Indoor Tank, Outdoor Pond or Water Garden

• Behaviour: Social Fish, Not usually aggressive

Scientific Classification of the Common Goldfish (Carassius auratus)
Definition: Scientific classification, or biological classification, is how biologists group and categorize species of organisms with shared physical characteristics. Scientific classification belongs to the science of taxonomy.

• Species: Carassius auratus

• Popular Name: Common Goldfish

• Kingdom: Animalia

• Phylum: Chordata

• Class: Actinopterygii

• Order: Cypriniformes

• Family: Cyprinidae

Interesting Facts and Information - How do you identify the sex of a Common Goldfish (Carassius auratus)?
The males and females of many fish species have different colors or different shaped bodies. But there are also other fish species where there is no visible difference. Its sometimes tricky being an ichthyologist!

Interesting Facts and Information - Why are Common Goldfish (Carassius auratus) slimy?
Common Goldfish (Carassius auratus) secrete a type of mucus, or slime, from their skin. This slime provides protection against parasites and infections and helps the Common Goldfish (Carassius auratus) to move through the water faster. Some fish species also release toxins in their slime which ward off enemy attacks. Other fish species use their slime to feed their young.

Interesting Facts and Information - Why do Common Goldfish (Carassius auratus) have gills?
Gills enable the Common Goldfish (Carassius auratus) to breathe. Gills consist of thin sheets of tissue containing blood vessels. As water passes over the gills oxygen is absorbed into the blood stream Carbon dioxide passes out into the water. The gills are protected by a large bony plate called an operculum. Some fish species however have lungs and breathe air.

Interesting Facts and Information - Why do the Common Goldfish (Carassius auratus) have fins?
A fin is an external appendage or "limb" of a fish. Fins are used for directing, stabilizing, or propelling the different fish species in water. Numbers of fins vary between fish species, but there are usually seven. Each of the fins on a fish are designed to perform a specific function:

• Dorsal fins - The dorsal fin is located on the backs of fishes. The Common Goldfish (Carassius auratus) has Dorsal fins to lend stability in swimming.

• Ventral fins. The ventral fin is located on the pelvic area of fishes. The Common Goldfish (Carassius auratus) has Ventral fins to lend stability in swimming.

• Caudal fins. The Caudal fin is located on the tail area of fishes. The Common Goldfish (Carassius auratus) has Caudal fins to propel through the water.

• Pectoral fins. The Pectoral fin is located on the breast area of fishes. The Common Goldfish (Carassius auratus) has Pectoral fins to for locomotion and side to side movement

Interesting Facts and Information about Common Goldfish (Carassius auratus)