Posted by Freshwater Aquariums in Featured, Goldfish | 62 Comments
8 Fun Goldfish Facts
1. Goldfish Can't Close Their Eyes - This makes sleeping a littel different for them. Instead of closing their eyes and falling into a deep sleep, they sleep with their eyes open usually at the bottom of the water.
2. Goldfish Have Been Pets for 1000+ Years - Dating all the way back to ancient China, goldfish have been common household pets.
3. World's Oldest Goldfish - The world's oldest recorded goldfish was 43 years old. Which is just amazing for almost any pet really, and he did very well considering he was won at a town fair. His name was Tish, and he died in 1999 in North Yorkshire, UK.
4. Goldfish Don't Have Stomachs - I don't know how interesting people will find this one, but I thought I'd throw it out there.
5. Through A Goldfish's Eyes - Through a goldfish's eyes you would see a lot more color. Goldfish are able to see ultra-violet and infra-red light. This also mean they have a greater spectrum of visual colors.
6. Their Size Depends On Their Space - If you give a 2 inch goldfish a 55 gallon tank, they're going to make good use of the extra space. Of course, giving a single goldfish 55 gallons may be a little over the top. But if this were the case, they would grow to occupy more space then if they were kept in a 10 gallon tank. Sorry kids, but a goldfish in a 55 gallon tank won't grow to be 4 feet and 200 pounds. 
Note: Per request of some readers I'd like to mention that this does in fact stunt their growth, they will thrive if given ample space.
7. Number 2 Only - Not just goldfish, but no fish urinates. But as any goldfish owner will tell you, they compensate with poop.
8. Goldfish Can Live In Cold and Freezing Waters - I wouldn't say they like it, but if a goldfish is left in an outdoor pond through the Winter, they'll likely be swimming around again by Spring. When it gets really cold or freezing, a goldfish's body will slow down dramatically, almost like hibernating. As the waters warm up they spring back to life.
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The age record’s been updated a few years back, it stands at 49 years now. Pretty impressive, my big common goldfish is a bit older than I am. He was 20 when I got him, and I’ve had him six years.
Size doesn’t depend on their space. They will grow to the point that they touch all four sides of the tank if it’s too small for them, provided you can keep water quality high at that point. They only stop growing prematurely if stunted, which is usually caused by conditions that become fatal anyway. For a fancy goldfish, depending on the breeding, their body will get about the size of a tennis ball up to the size of a large grapefruit. For a common, comet, or shubunkin, full length is 18-24 inches. Koi aren’t goldfish, but they are a different species of karp, they can reach 2-3 feet. You want an age record, koi can be reasonably expected to outlive their owners – 70+ years is considered standard, but they can live over a century. At least one lived over 200 years on display in an embassy fountain.
Quick question–If you put a baby in a box, will the baby stop growing because the size around it is sufficient for the baby at that period of growth? That makes sense, right? I mean, the baby doesn’t need any more space because it fits perfectly fine now. It will stop growing.
How stupid do I sound?
Goldfish need at LEAST ten gallons to actually thrive and grow up to their full potential.
How about this fact? Fish have the same pain receptors as humans. When they freeze to death, or when they are overheated, it would be like us freezing or getting too hot. That should replace the size part.
I think you should check your ‘facts’. Number 6 is ridiculous, they don’t grow to fit their environment, they have stunted growth because of poorer water conditions, etc. A goldfish who isn’t given enough space will eventually die of the problems that occur when their musculoskeletal growth stops but their organs continue to grow.
It’s people like you that perpetuate the idea that a goldfish can live in a ten gallon tank. They are filthy fish that need many gallons of water to live a long life. Please think about changing this ‘fact’, it’s a shame it’s still there.
Fish don’t urinate? I think you need to take your “Pet Smart” experience and trash it there buddy. Know YOUR facts before making a post. The chief purposes of urine production are maintenance of water balance and elimination of waste products of metabolism, especially nitrogenous by-
products from the breakdown of protein in fish. That is why there are high ammonia rates in Koi ponds or in any enclosed environment of the Carassius auratus species. Bashing your “readers” isn’t a good idea either. Learn to take critism or go back to working for some pet store chain who gives you incorrect information.
Why are all the commenters on here know it all jerks? You bitches need to go find a life instead of arguing over stupid goldfish factoids.
Everybody calm down. These are goldfish we are talking about here. You know, those poor dead things in bags of water you get at carnivals? The things you feed to turtles? (Though you shouldn’t, they can have parasites.) Jesus Christ, people. Don’t diss your pet store employees. They’re kinda responsible for your pets. Also: this is the internet. Why the fuck are you taking this as factual? Go read a book, ask a biology teacher, and take some meds. Geez.
Adding onto Donna’s comment.
Fish also expel ammonia from their gills as a by product of “breathing”. Also, if the water is not kept in tip-top condition their ammonia is created as their waste breaks down.
Nice addition Ron. I think a thorough post on care and maintenance is well overdue. Should have one up in coming days.
Want do gold fish eat
I have a question for whoever wants to answer it. I just got a goldfish for my 5 year old son. I have no idea what the water temperature is supposed to be, what other kind of fish they can be put with, and how to prolong their life when the fish is living in a bowl. I am going to eventually get a fish tank but right now all I have is the bowl. Any comments would be appreciated. Please email me at grimes82830305@gmail.com thankyou
CAN GOLD FISH LIVE WITH RIVER FISH???
I have six goldfish. I had them in a five gallon but they didn’t seem happy so I upgraded to a ten gallon. Still they weren’t very happy. I then bought a Pleco thinking maybe another fish would perk them up a little but they weren’t happy still, they just laid there at the bottom of the tank. This weekend I moved them back to the smaller tank and they were happy, they were swimming around and excited. But then I saw that my biggest fish, Magneta, had a red like irritation on her stomach and another fish had a smaller patch. I grew worried and planned to take it to the pet store for something anti-fungual but this morning when I woke up Magneta’s red patch had almost completely disappeared. The small patch on the other goldfish was almost gone too. Should I still be worried or was it some sort of irritation?
Hahahahaha.
I love goldfish.
Well, I don’t believe some of the facts and CAN U GUYS PLEASE WATCH YOUR MOUTHS! My 9 year old found this and started to read. She asked me what all those bad words ment! EMBARasiNG
Ok, I started reading these “fun” facts about goldfish. I have some and I’m new at raising goldfish so I thought I’d look around on the internet… so I see this and say “oh, neat.” But then after reading and curiously reading the comments, what do I see? People getting angry and cussing in their comments. *sigh* You know, some of you people should think before you post. There could be young children looking things up about their new goldfish that they love so dearly. So please consider others feelings before you post a comment ANYWHERE. Thank you.
goldfish are nice
goldfish swim for 4 days
A lot of websites and fish “experts” say a lot of different things about goldfish growth and space needs. Let us remember that there have been no conclusive studies that say that the size of a goldfish’s tank stunts its growth or not. So arguing about it is pointless. What we do know is the following:
1] Goldfish do not have stomachs, so they don’t digest food in a “cnventional” way. This means that they create a lot of waste and require a lot of cleaning.
2] Goldfish, as with all fish, were taken out of the wild to be pets in a household. This means that virtually any tank will be too small for it compared to the great outdoors. The larger the tank, the happier your fish will be.
3] Any fish can live in a small tank when it’s a baby. The trick is that as it gets older, the owner has to be responsible and get it a larger tank.
Say you win a goldfish at a fair. It’s evening and you’re going home tired from spending a day of fun and games. You stick the godfish in a bowl when you get home. You go to bed. The next day, you research what to feed it, etc. You stumble upon this site and you get a bunch of angry people yelling about how to take care of goldfish. “Gee,” you think, “I didn’t know there was so much controversy.” The goldfish is fine in the bowl for a few days, but you’re going to have to give it more room to play, breathe, and be happy. Any child will tell you that the bigger room he or she has, the better. The same goes with the fish. If you plan on keeping the fish you won at the fair for a long time, proper care is needed. If you want to show your child how to take care of a living creature, you’re going to have to understand that its needs are similar to any other creature.
Bob called the previous commenters “jerks.” That’s not fair because they, like any other human being, want the truth to be known and can’t stand it when people are misguided and spread what they consider to be lies around. I’m confident that Bob feels the same way about issues that he feels passionate about, and probably reacts in a similar manner.
There are some people who believe that the “fish tank theory” [the one about a fish not outgrowing its space] was invented to make us not feel guilty about keeping fish in too-small aquariums. There are others who believe that the theory is meant as something more symoblic than literal. At this point, it doesn’t matter. If the original poster would like to keep his or her fish in a too-small aquarium, then he or she will have to suffer the consequences of sick, and bored animals. The people who think he or she is wrong have the responsibility of posting a contrary idea, taking care of their own pets in a manner befitting a living creature, and letting the public choose what they want to believe.
Thank you, my schpeal is done.
here are some facts that i know about goldfish:
· Goldfish originally come from China.
· Goldfish can be found everywhere, in slow-moving waters, rivers, lakes, ponds, waterholes and pools and aquariums.
· Goldfish are cold-blooded and their metabolism rate depends on the water temperature.
· Goldfish are a small member of the carp family.
· Goldfish require subtropical to tropical climate.
· They live in freshwater.
· Goldfish can be anywhere between 3 and 6 inches.
· The largest goldfish is 16 inches and about 3 kg in weight.
· Their appearance depends on location, temperature and its food.
· A goldfish has a paired pectoral and pelvic fins with one dorsal, anal and caudal fin.
· An average lifespan of a goldfish is about 5-10 years.
· Goldfish come in different colours for example gold and bronze.
· Goldfish eat both plants and animals.
· The female goldfish can lay up to a thousand eggs.
· Goldfish eggs hatch within a time frame of 48-72 hours.
· Goldfish tend to live in groups but can also be seen living alone.
· Goldfish don’t urinate.
· They need a spacious environment with high oxygen levels.
Please email me if you have any comments or oppinions about this i would love to her what you have to say: cheeky_elephant_katie_hates_swim@live.com
i lurrrvvv dem goldfish
I am getting a goldfish next week!
I am getting a goldfish tomorrow after school!
if any one can answer my question how do u breed goldfish and wat suppies will i need???
this was greatt i didnt do my home work to find out about my pet went on the internet
and foung this and im done alouyu great im always going to cheak this website it saved my lfe.
i loved this you rock
gold fish do have stomachs, they are attaced to the intestineds, DUH!!!!
I LOVE goldfish!
My goldfish live in an outdoor pond , the pond is a shell pool, one of those kids ones.
Any way, I bought 2 , within 4 months they were large enough and started breeding, in fact they grew very fast indeed, they have lilies and some other kind of plant in their pond, plus those little water snails.
One day I went out to feed them, I saw all these tiny things swimming in the water, it twigged they were baby fish not mosquito wrigglers.
I was stupid enough to not catch all of them right there and then, so I assume mum and dad ate the rest, I did catch 3.
I have them in a small box pond with air and special fry food, I also crush fish food for the 2 which are growing fast and normally, I change the water every 3 days cause the fry food stinks and clouds the water.
My problem is: I have one fry which seems to not be growing at all, if it is it is ever so slow.
I can show you a pic; I hope links are allowed, maybe the small one hatched later than the bigger ones, but it is 6 days old now and still a midget, I am wondering if I have the runt of the litter so to speak?
Little red arrow points to the midget fry.
http://mycoffeelounge.net/pixup/30403-6364.jpg
I have a 75 gallon tank with 4 lion head goldfish. I use a heater that keeps the water at 70 degrees. Goldfish are sensitive to fluctuations in temperature. I bought the fish years ago when they were less than 2 inches long. They are about 6 inches now. I change 15% of the water every week. I use large power filter built for up to a 90 gallon tank. And I use an air pump to keep some bubbles going in the tank for water movement. My fish have been 100% healthy for years. They are like puppies – always glad to see me. They actually recogize me. I have found that less is more when it comes to the number of fish in a tank. I have gotten to know my fish. They sleep upside down. They play with each other. I can feed them by hand. I think they even smile believe it or not. Goldfish do not belong in bowls – too small. They have a lot to offer when properly taken care of. By the way my 11 year old daughter reads here – bad language is not necessary. Thx
waw thanks for the idea to help my goldfish
I never have time to clean my Goldfish’s tank
why do people get excited over a guy who got some stuff wrong? We all make mistakes and the people who are trying to prove that their smarter than the guy who put up the facts are stupid in fact their jerks…. Its like you telling an experienced lion trainer how to train lions your way although you never even done it before i mean whose kidding who here?
i love Gold fish
i love Goldfish
Putting a slice of an orange in the tank with goldfish will provide Vitamin C which is good for their health as well as to enhance their gold color.
I have three cheap feeder fish that I bought to keep and one is active but when I get home at night its in the live water plant tail fin up and head down tucked in the plant do you think its just sleeping? when i turn on the light it perks up and swims around like nothing is wrong.
Bob this is a kid website so please stop
Thanx
P.S i’m in school and my teacher saw it!!!!!
everybody makes mistakes, everybody has those days, everybody knows what, what im talkin about, everybody gets that way!!!
fish is teh most awesomeness animales!!!
wow. i really love gold fish my fish was 21
i lovveeeeeeeee gold fish he! he!
I like this website because it helps me with my homework!
I just got a goldfish and saved money to upgrade the tank when it grows. The largest tank is going to be 25 gallons.
PS. I have two goldfishs, 3 Glofish and 3 guppies.
PS. At the moment each different type of fish is in a seperate 5 gallon tank and I plan to put them in a 15 gallon together next.
Is this good enough to small or what?
If the 25 gallon tank isn’t big enough i could get one of those kiddy pools you the one that are used for sand boxes or mini pools for little kids.
email me @ MonicaBortolotto@yahoo.com plz.
hm……………………….. 7/10
this was helpful I just got my goldfish yesterday!!
Goldfishies are the most awesomest pet ever!!!!
i have two feeder goldfish there about two 1/2 years old they came here in a baggy about an in’ long one is now `16in’long the other is 9in `1/2 long they eat goldfish food pellets then they went to worms and they also love purina puppy chow and yes they are messe fish worse than a two year old boy!there fun to watch bye
FUN FACT NUM.9) goldfish need water or they will die
okay everyone that is saying goldfish need at least 10 gallons to survive, i had 2 goldfish in a 1.5 gallon tank and everyone quit bitching about how the facts are wrong. maybe this person just doesnt spend their life studying goldfish. im sure this wasnt made to impress the public, but for entertainment. i read it because i googled ‘fun things to do with goldfish crackers’ and it was one of the results and i clicked it. but seriously, stop fighting about goldfish facts. its pointless.
what is memory capacity of a goldfish? i need the correct answer and please ny one can answer my question.
From which marine water or fresh water species the goldfish has evolved out,in which river or pond or lake or sea or ocean it has observed first by which people and who discovered goldfish?