Goldfish: types, care, maintenance, breeding, compatibility, description, photo

The Aquarium Goldfish is an artificially bred freshwater species belonging to the genus of crucian carp and the class of rayfins. It has a laterally compressed or short rounded body. All species have pharyngeal teeth, large gill roofs, and hard barbs that form fins. The scales can be both large and small - it all depends on the species.

The color can be very different - from golden to black with various inclusions. The only common feature is that the belly shade is always a little lighter. It’s easy to convince yourself of this by looking at photos of goldfish. The size and shape of the fins also vary greatly - long, short, forked, veil-shaped, etc. In some species, the eyes are bulging.

The length of the fish does not exceed 16 cm. But in large tanks they can reach 40 cm, not including the tail. The lifespan directly depends on the form. Short, round fish live no longer than 15 years, and long and flat fish live up to 40.

Description of the goldfish

Already in the 7th century, this fish began to be used for artificial home keeping; it was then called golden carp.

After centuries of selection, many colors have appeared - white, black, blue, yellow, red - this is not the whole possible range of colors. But all individuals are distinguished by the reddish gold of the large fins and the darker color of the back.

The body of the goldfish has a slightly elongated shape, as if flattened on the sides. In aquarium farming, it is common to divide this species into individuals:

• short-bodied;
• long-bodied.

Photo gallery of Goldfish:

The female can only be identified during the period of gestation by the enlarged abdomen.

In an aquarium, a goldfish grows to a maximum of 15 cm; when living in a larger body of water (pond or lake), the body length can reach 40 cm.

Diseases

Unfortunately, goldfish have weak points. They are susceptible to various diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. Therefore, their diet must be carefully monitored. It is important that they do not overeat, and that their menu contains plant foods.

Tumor in Goldfish

There are also other diseases. For example, one of the quite popular ones is semolina (also known as ichthyophthyriasis ). This is a rather dangerous disease, because it spreads very quickly and infects the entire aquarium. It is very easy to define. Many small white dots appear on the body of an infected fish (like chicken pox). Bacteria live in them.

You can fight this disease using different methods:

1. Table salt . One tablespoon is added per 10 liters, and the animal stays in this concentrate for 3 to 5 days. In some cases, individuals are placed in a very concentrated container (up to 1 spoon per liter) for a short period of 5-10 minutes, and then released, and this is repeated daily. It is worth noting that the aquarium itself needs to be restarted by disinfecting the decor and soil;
2. Bizzilin-5 . This is a common antibiotic used to treat people. It cannot be considered a full-fledged remedy, but it still brings its benefits. It can be poured into a general aquarium at the rate of a third of a bottle per 100 liters. You can also add 1/3 per 10 liters, and sick fish are placed in this container for 30 minutes for a week;
3. Special means . The best option is to purchase special products from a veterinary pharmacy or online store. Sera Costapur works great with semolina. The full dose is poured in daily, but with constant water changes. You can also use Anti-steam. It is applied at the rate of 1 ml per 50 liters. Change 30% of the water daily with additional product. That is, you need to maintain concentration. The duration of treatment is about a week, maybe a little less;
4. Furazolidone . It can be used together with Sera Costapur. This is a very powerful remedy and it is better to use it if the above treatment methods did not help. One tablet dissolves in 15 liters. The water will acquire a yellowish tint and all that remains is to watch the fish. If their condition improves, then you can rest assured that they are on the mend and you just need to wait until the spots disappear completely.

Well, of course, don’t forget about prevention. First, the aquarium must be clean. Secondly, the fish need to be provided with a good and varied diet. If their body receives the necessary vitamins and microelements, then their immunity itself will cope with the simplest bacteria. Usually semolina appears in weak individuals.

Distribution and history of domestication of goldfish

The first mention of a goldfish dates back to the Chinese Jin Dynasty, 264-420 AD.

Presumably, the color of the ancestors of the modern species was truly golden, and the reddish tint appeared as a result of numerous breeding experiments. Fishermen brought Chinese carp home and placed them in cages, barrels, and any containers. A little later they began to engage in its conscious breeding. Over thousands of years of breeding experiments, hybrid mutations have apparently become entrenched and today it is not possible to distinguish them from natural mutations.

In any case, already during the reign of the Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD), a description of a red golden carp appears.

The development of Buddhism led to the growth of general humane sentiments. The monks created merciful ponds where they released all the discarded fish. Thus, the results of unsuccessful experiments, thanks to the tradition of fang sheng (delayed death), also survived and could not help but participate in the consolidation of mutational changes.

With the coming to power of the Song Emperor, home goldfish pools, often with fountains, began to be created en masse in China. Initially, this was the privilege of wealthy citizens, but by the 13th century, golden carp almost everywhere occupied the home ponds of ordinary people.

In the 16th century, this fish came to Japan. The breeders of this country are today considered the best in creating many exquisite species of individuals.

In the 17th century, Dutch and Portuguese merchants brought ornamental carp to Europe, which were initially sold there for fabulous money. There was even a special supply of these aquarium pets from China, Java, and South Africa.

In the 18th century, this aquarium specimen also appeared in the Russian Empire. It was brought along the Great Silk Road as a rare curiosity.

In 1874, a state fish nursery was founded in Washington (USA), in which golden carp became the basis of a rare collection.

The Chinese Cultural Revolution destroyed almost all fish farms in the country, but most importantly, the breeders who kept the secrets of ancient reproduction technologies were shot, which caused irreparable damage to the development of Chinese goldfish breeding.

Recently, the introduction of aquarium inhabitants into the natural environment has become widespread. Thus, in Australia, goldfish have successfully taken root there and many specimens have grown to significant sizes. The weight record for today is 1.9 kg.

Reviews

I have been maintaining an aquarium since childhood. I always bought different types of goldfish. I really like their behavior and colors. Every year I send several females and males to spawn. The fish are easy to care for and are suitable for beginner aquarists. Alexander 29 years old, Tyumen

I work in a pet supply store. We sell many varieties of fish, including golden ones. I take care of them myself. These pets love to eat live food and swim a lot. We try to keep each breed in different aquariums. But when mixed with each other, they behave friendly. The main thing is not to plant large and small individuals together, otherwise they will start biting each other. Oleg 45 years old, Samara

I read a lot about keeping aquariums and couldn’t decide to get my own. I went to the store and bought everything I needed for the arrangement. I decided to start with one goldfish, I immediately liked it. We've been together for two weeks, it's a joy to watch the fish. And most importantly, the maintenance is minimal. I'm thinking about buying a few more. Valentina 60 years old, Astrakhan

Types of goldfish

The golden one, more than any other aquarium species, has undergone multiple changes, as a result of which hundreds of its varieties have appeared, differing in different body shapes, fins, eyes, scales, and colors.

Chinese breeders alone have produced more than 300 breeds. Among them there are those that can live exclusively in an artificial environment. Others easily adapt to any conditions.

There are also a lot of classifications of goldfish in the world. In China, it is customary to distinguish four main types:

• Se (Grass) are predominantly long-bodied fish without any particular anatomical structure.
• Ven - with growths on the head and fins of rare shape.
• Dragon Eye - distinguished by a special eye shape.
• Egg - characterized by an “egg” body shape and the fact that they do not have a fin on the back.

The division according to the following criteria has become more widespread:

• body structure;
• fin shape;
• eye features;
• type of scales;
• color

By type of body structure

Divides all goldfish into four main groups:

• Wild - the usual form of crucian carp.
• The torpedo is elongated. In China, the typical representative is the Koi carp, in Japan - Wakin.
• The egg is a three-dimensional oval, the body of most modern species is similar.
• A tear or drop is an almost perfect sphere.

By fin type

There are three groups:

• Regular tail. It has one caudal fin, like a common crucian carp, but of different lengths and shapes. In terms of body structure, it is a Wild type or Torpedo. May be of different colors.
• Double tail. They have a fin near the anus and a tail fused from two halves.
• No dorsal fin. These are usually fish with an Egg body shape. They have a smooth back without fins, spines or tubercles.

These groups can be described using examples of breeds.

By eye type

The easiest way is to look at examples of breed groups.

• Telescope. The eyes are so large that they protrude beyond the skull. There are three types of eyes - domed, flat, round. The structure of the fin is closer to the Fantails, sometimes humpbacked, like Riukins. The color range is varied. One of the modern types is the Moscow Black Telescope. Japanese Telescopes are called Demekins, in America - Moors, in China - Dragon's Eye.

• Stargazer or Heavenly Eye. The eyes protrude strongly above the surface of the skull, but look upward. There is no fin on the back. The smallest breeds.

• Water eyes or Bubble eyes. The eyes protrude strongly, look up, and underneath there are large cavities with lymph fluid. No fin on the back. Some varieties have double bubbles - under the eyes and mouth. Mostly small individuals.

By scale type

Under each scale of the golden carp there are crystals of lime and guanine (silver pigment), according to their concentration, individuals are divided into:

• With matte scales - a low percentage of crystals and little ability to reflect light.
• With shiny - high content of guanine under the scales. The fish has an almost metallic sheen.
• With mother-of-pearl. Under some scales there is no guanine, under others there is a lot of it. It gives the impression of an iridescent cover.

By color

Nowadays there is such a variety of colors that the name “goldfish” is perceived as an anachronism. By type of color it is customary to distinguish:

• Plain. The color has one solid color.
• Spotted (Motley). Spots of a different color are scattered across the main tone. With three shades, the breed is called tricolor.
• Variegated scales. Each scale is painted in several colors.
• Calico type, Calico. Variety of colors and inclusions. Most often blue tones.
• Panda. Usually two colors, black and white. The spots in their location resemble the coloring of the Bamboo Bear.
• Little Red Riding Hood. Two-tone color. The main one is white, the top of the head is red.

Selection

In nature, crucian carp spawning begins in April or May. Aquarium goldens breed several times a year, starting at 1–2 years of age. If necessary, the process is stimulated by replacing more than a third of the water or raising the temperature.

Readiness for reproduction is determined by the increase in the abdomen in females. Fertilization occurs through characteristic contact between the fish's anal openings.

04:49

GOLDFISH BREEDING

To start a 40-liter spawning tank, they purchase a lamp and an aerator, and plant the container with dense vegetation so that the parents do not feast on the laid eggs. The larvae, which form on the third day, hang upside down between the algae leaves. After 3–5 days (depending on the water temperature), the fry appear, rush upward and swallow air to be able to swim in a horizontal position.

Aquarists who have been breeding goldfish for more than one year often become breeders, either accidentally or intentionally. Having received offspring, they keep specimens with pronounced characteristics of the breed and discard the fry that do not meet the standards.

If you replenish the aquarium with fish with characteristics you like over the course of several years, you can consolidate the species characteristics and even improve the breed.

Goldens are literally pets!

Golden ones attract owners not only with their appearance, but also with their behavior. Pets become attached to their owners, take food from their hands, and swim onto a palm placed in the water, which is especially popular with children.

Keeping a goldfish in an aquarium

This is not the easiest specimen to keep in an aquarium. Caring for goldfish is quite complicated; you need to remember and follow the basic rules:

• Keep long-bodied and short-bodied species separately.
• Use a rectangular aquarium with a volume of at least 200 liters and a water column pressure of no higher than 50 cm.
• Each fish will require about 2 liters of water. Individuals live in flocks.
• Monitor the temperature. Optimal for long-bodied fish is +17…+25 °C, short-bodied fish +21…+29 °C. This means that it is necessary to equip the aquarium with heated water.
• Equip the aquarium with an aeration device, as goldfish can die if there is a lack of oxygen.
• Consider the issue of compatibility. All goldfish are quite delicate and can get hurt easily. Especially Water Eyes and Telescopes.
• It is not recommended to use stones, shells, driftwood, or other elements with edges that could injure the fish.
• The aquarium should be decorated with plants with hard leaves. This species eats soft things. Veiltails and Water Eyes must live in areas where there is no edible algae.

Video

GIROSHIMA OR POMPOM GOLDFISH CONTENTS BREEDING DESCRIPTION PHOTO COMPATIBILITY.

COMET GOLDFISH CONTENTS BREEDING COMPATIBILITY FEEDING DESCRIPTION PHOTO.

VAKIN GOLDFISH CONTENTS COMPATIBILITY FEEDING DESCRIPTION PHOTO.

PEARL GOLDFISH CONTENTS COMPATIBILITY BREEDING DESCRIPTION PHOTO FEEDING.

RANCH GOLDFISH BREEDING COMPATIBILITY CONTENTS PHOTO DESCRIPTION.

RYUKIN-GOLDFISH CONTENTS BREEDING DESCRIPTION

SHUBUNKIN-GOLDFISH CONTENTS BREEDING DESCRIPTION FEEDING

HEAVENLY EYE OR STARGAZER AQUARIUM FISH.

TELESCOPE FISH - CONTENTS BREEDING COMPATIBILITY PHOTO VIDEO.

GOLDFISH DISEASES EXTERNAL SIGNS AND TREATMENT PHOTO SYMPTOMS

HOW, WHAT AND HOW MUCH TO FEED GOLDFISH? DESCRIPTION PHOTO VIDEO.

WATER EYES AQUARIUM FISH - KEEPING BREEDING.

ORANDA CONTENTS FEEDING DESCRIPTION COMPATIBILITY REPRODUCTION PHOTO.

Compatibility

Goldfish are not aggressive and will easily get along with calm species. The main thing is the coincidence of the temperature conditions of the contents. Various carp, such as Koi, are best suited. But they can eat small fish.

As for catfish, which are often added to keep the aquarium clean, coexistence with slow Tarakatums or Corydoras is possible.

Ancistrus should be avoided as they are nocturnal hunters and can damage a sleeping goldfish.

To preserve the decorative appearance and integrity of goldfish, keeping them with the following aquarium inhabitants is strictly prohibited:

• Angelfish.
• Barbs.
• Cockerels.
• South American and African cichlids.
• Discus.
• Acne.
• Gourami.
• Guppy.
• Mollies.
• Astronotuses.
• Pecilia.
• Rainbows.
• Rasbory.
• Sword bearers.
• Tetras.
• Danio.
• Labeo.
• Shrimps.

Water requirements

Water requirements are strict, especially regarding temperature. The temperature ranges from 20° to 23°. For young animals or breeds with a round body, the water should be warmer, approximately 24-25°. Acid-base balance, pH, about 7. Hardness not less than 8°.

The water must sit for at least 24 hours. During settling, a large number of impurities and heavy fractions settle out, and chlorine evaporates. If you had to pour water straight from the tap, then you need to use a water stabilizer. You can purchase it in specialized aquarium stores or pet stores. The water in the aquarium must be constantly filtered. To do this, you need a multi-section filter, which must work around the clock. The power of the device is at least 3 - 4 l/h. The filter must be cleaned weekly. Rinse with aquarium water so as not to destroy the colony of bacteria living in the ceramic compartment.

It is necessary to constantly change the water. This is the name given to partial water replacement and topping it up to normal levels. This should also be done once a week, and if there are many inhabitants, then more often.

In addition to filtration, the water must be constantly aerated. Many filters are equipped with aerators, but it is better to purchase an additional compressor.

Feeding

It is not difficult to choose a diet for goldfish, since this species is omnivorous.

The following products can be used:

• Multi-component dry ready-made food for fish.
• Any live food, for example, bloodworms, daphnia, earthworms. It is desirable that the protein content is high.
• Aquatic plants and algae - duckweed, vallisneria, riccia, hornwort.
• Herbs such as nettle, green salad, dandelion. It must be given finely chopped.
• Vegetables - pumpkin, carrots, zucchini, cucumber. They should be grated on a fine grater.

Additional, non-daily complementary foods can also include:

• Porridge - buckwheat or millet. Definitely no salt, sugar or oil.
• Sea fish and seafood. They need to be finely chopped.
• Spirulina.
• Bread crumbs.

Etymology[ | ]

The name of the group is due to the name of one of the progenitors of all breeds of “goldfish”: the first, cultivated from the common silver crucian carp (lat. Carassius gibelio) [3] aquarium fish of red-golden color with a metallic tint - a representative of the Cyprinidae family, which was majestically called the “goldfish ".[4]

In the Russian name of an aquarium pet, only the diminutive form of the word “ fish”

" - fish (plural form of the word "
fish
" - fish), like small and beloved pets: "
goldfish
".

Breeding

Goldfish become sexually mature at 12 months. But to obtain full-fledged offspring, it is preferable to use individuals starting from 2 years old.

To mate, several males and a female are placed in a small container with plants. Favorable conditions for breeding offspring are shallow water, so the water level is not raised above 25 cm. During the day, full light is provided - natural or artificial.

The bottom must be hard. A special mesh is placed on it, which will save the eggs from being eaten.

The appearance of individuals ready for mating changes. Small tubercles resembling mother-of-pearl appear on the gills of males, and peculiar saw-tooth notches appear on the pectoral fins. The males try to push the female deeper into the algae.

Spawning occurs in spring, usually April-May, and lasts almost six hours. Then the adults are returned to the community aquarium. One female is capable of laying up to 10 thousand eggs.

Behavior

The behavior of goldfish varies depending on the characteristics of the environment, and in an aquarium, on the preferences of the aquarist. Pets have developed associative memory, and they clearly identify their breadwinner. The owner may notice that the pets react to his approach (swim up to the front glass, quickly move around the aquarium, rise to the surface in anticipation of food), but hide when strangers approach.

Criticism[ | ]

According to conservationists and animal rights activists, goldfish have been subjected to extreme violence in order to develop new "ugly forms" and behavioral characteristics achieved by keeping and raising fish in cramped conditions - without sufficient or excess air (oxygen dissolved in water

) and lack of light, overfeeding with plant and animal feed with the addition of various additives to achieve modifications in the shape of the body and eyes, as well as the subsequent consolidation of the acquired qualities in the genome of future generations.[16]

Literature[ | ]

Painting by Philip Laszlo fr. Philip de László ( oil on canvas, 1917
)

• N.V. Sorokin “Freshwater aquarium or indoor garden for aquatic plants and animals”, St. Petersburg - 1866
• N. F. Zolotnitsky “Amateur Aquarium” ( first edition - 1885
  )
• N. F. Zolotnitsky “Goldfish and its variety shows”, 1886
• N. F. Zolotnitsky “Aquatic plants for indoor, garden and greenhouse aquariums”, 1887
• N. F. Zolotnitsky “Children’s Aquarium”, 1888
• “Journal of the Society of Lovers of Houseplants and Aquariums” edited by I. I. Mamontov, St. Petersburg. - since 1902
• V. P. Miller “Aquarium. Guide to caring for an aquarium and its population", St. Petersburg - 1903.
• Magazine “Aquarium and Indoor Plants”, edited by K. K. Gippius, Moscow Society of Aquarium and Indoor Plant Lovers - since 1908.
• A. A. Nabatov “Sea aquarium in the room, its structure and care”, St. Petersburg - 1908
• N. F. Zolotnitsky “Amateur Aquarium” - “New aquarium fish and plants” (second volume), Moscow - 1910
• “Journal of the Society of Lovers of Houseplants and Aquariums”, St. Petersburg - 1911.
• “Aquarium and indoor plants” (magazine), Moscow - 1911.
• “Bulletin of an aquarium and terrarium lover”, Kyiv - 1911.
• A. A. Nabatov “Indoor freshwater aquarium”, 1914
• N. F. Zolotnitsky “Wildlife at School”, 1915
• Goldfish varieties and tropical aquarium fishes a complete guide to aquaria and related subjects by William T. Innes, 6th ed., Philadelphia - 1917 (English)
• F. M. Polkanov “Underwater world in the room”, 1970
• M. N. Ilyin “Aquarium fish farming”, 1973
• M. D. Makhlin “An Entertaining Aquarium”, 1975
• Muddy Hargrove, Mick Hargrove.
  Aquariums for dummies = Freshwater Aquariums For Dummies. — 2nd edition. - Moscow: “Dialectics”, 2007. - P. 256. - ISBN 978-5-8459-1306-7.
• M. D. Makhlin.
  Entertaining aquarium. - Moscow: Food Industry, 1975.
• N. Myagkov “Moscow in the history of aquarium farming in Russia”, magazine “Fish farming and Fisheries” No. 5 for 1979
• M. D. Makhlin.
  Journey through the aquarium.
• M. Bailey, P. Burgress.
  The aquarist's golden book.
• "Life in an Aquarium", ed. “Zvaigzne”, Latvia - 1979
• Kochetov A. M.
  Decorative fish farming. - M.: Education, 1991. - 384 p. — 300,000 copies. — ISBN 5-09-001433-7.
• S. M. Kochetov “Aquarium” from the “Hobby Club” series, 1992

Description[ | ]

Initial form
Maximum body length 31 cm, weight up to 350 g, life expectancy up to 10-12 years. The body is short, tall, slightly angular, barely flattened on the sides, and covered with dense, rough scales. Each last unbranched ray of the dorsal and anal fins has 15 enlarged teeth. The upper edge of the dorsal fin has a small notch or is straight.

The general background color of the original form is steel and silver. The back is dark, greenish-gray, the sides are grayish-silver, the belly is grayish-gray, sometimes yellowish. The dorsal, pectoral and caudal fins are gray, the ventral and anal fins are gray with a pink tint. The iris of the eyes is usually orange. Through artificial selection, a wide variety of colors have been obtained in various breeds - from yellowish-silver and orange to red and black, with various transitions.

Biology[ | ]

Freshwater lake and river bottom schooling residential fish, unpretentious to the environment. Lives in deep floodplain reservoirs with developed vegetation and clear reaches (a wide expanse of water or part of a reservoir that is deeper than neighboring ones), avoids very overgrown places. Reaches sexual maturity at the age of 2-3 years, males at a length of 6.5-10.5 cm and a weight of 30-50 g, females at 6.8-11 cm and 50-80 g, respectively. Reproduction from late April to mid-August . In fish 7-18 cm long, the fecundity was 24-118 thousand eggs. Spawning is portioned, “occurs at a water temperature of 13.5-24.4 ° C, and takes place in heated shallow waters. The eggs are sticky and are deposited on vegetation. At a water temperature of 23-25 ​​°C, the larvae emerge 2-2.5 days after fertilization of the eggs. It feeds on plankton, benthos and soft vegetation.

Notes[ | ]

1. ↑ 1 2
   Makeeva A.P., Pavlov D.S., Pavlov D.A. Atlas of juvenile freshwater fish of Russia. M, KMK, 2011 - P.238 − 383 p.
2. Trepka, Andrzej.
   Ilustrowana encyklopedia ryb. - Warszawa: Przedsiębiorstwo Handlowo-Wydawnicze Arystoteles Marek Matusiak, 2007. - P. 172-173. — ISBN 978-83-60910-08-5.
3. "Goldfish Ancestors Announced" - DNA Research at Tokai University Medical School ( August 18, 2008
   ) Archived March 20, 2015 on the Wayback Machine (Japanese)
4. Reshetnikov Yu. S., Kotlyar A. N., Rass T. S., Shatunovsky M. I.
   Five-language dictionary of animal names. Fish. Latin, Russian, English, German, French. / under the general editorship of academician. V. E. Sokolova. - M.: Rus. lang., 1989. - P. 137. - 12,500 copies. — ISBN 5-200-00237-0.
5. “Goldfish varieties and genetics: a handbook for breeders” by Joseph Smartt; illustrations by Merlin Cunliffe. Oxford: Malden, MA: Blackwell Science, 2001 ISBN 0-85238-265-0
6. "Small Zoological Dictionary", New York - 1976
7. EK Balon “About the oldest domesticates among fishes”, Journal of Fish Biology, 2004.
8. Hugo Mulertt “The goldfish and its systematic culture with a view to profit: A practicalise on the fish, its propagation, enemies, diseases, and care of the fish in captivity, together with hints on the construction of ponds, etc.”, Cincinnati - 1883
9. Feral goldfish have turned out to be a threat to the environment (unspecified)
   . Interfax (August 17, 2016).
10. Brief advice on keeping goldfish
11. Compatibility chart of animals and plants in freshwater aquariums ( green color - compatible, red color - incompatible, yellow color - can get along
    ) Archived copy dated August 20, 2011 on the Wayback Machine (English)
12. Animal taxonomy website: “The Taxonomicon” (English)
13. Animal taxonomy website: BioLib (English)
14. Iran: Nowruz holiday without goldfish? · Global Voices in Russian
15. Jerzy A. Splitt “Złote rybki w stanie nieważkości”, AKWARIUM No. 3/78 Archived copy of March 1, 2014 on the Wayback Machine (Polish)
16. Tierschutzgesetz (TSchG) bei den Bundesbehörden der Schweizerischen Eidgenossenschaft ( Animal Welfare Law
    ) (German)