Goldfish,  Carassius auratus

 
Physical Description: 
�	Stocky, deep, and compressed body 
�	Long-based dorsal fin
�	Forked tail fin
�	Terminal mouth, blunt nose
�	Tubercles present on head, back, and pectoral fins
�	Body colors are variable

Similar species: 
�	Common carp (Cyprinus carpio)

Mean body size:
�	Adults are 130-400 mm total length 

Habitat:
�	Vegetated pools and backwaters in warm streams, ponds, lakes, and reservoirs
�	Very tolerant of high temperatures and poor water quality

Distribution in VA:
�	Native to Asia and eastern Europe, introduced into Virginia

Food Habits:  
�	Phytoplankton, plants, insects, and small fish

Reproductive Habits: 
�	Mature at age 1 
�	Spawning occurs late April to about June or July in water at 16-29�C over plants 
�	One or more males court and chase a female
�	Adhesive eggs laid in open water over plants
�	Fecundity is about 400,000 eggs per female 

Population Status, Economic, or Ecological Importance: 
�	Popular aquarium fish
�	First exotic fish introduced to North America
�	Hatchery-raised for bait and as an ornamental

References:       

Jenkins, R.E and N.M. Burkhead. 1993. Freshwater Fishes of Virginia. American Fisheries Society, Bethesda, Maryland. 

Goldfish Carp Grass Carp Silver Carp Golden Shiner Mtn. Redbelly Dace So. Redbelly Dace Rosyside Dace Longnose Dace Blacknose Dace Blacknose Dace Stoneroller Pearl Dace Fallfish Tonguetied Minnow Creek Chub Cutlips Minnow Bull Chub Bluehead Chub River Chub Slender Chub Streamline Chub Blotched Chub Kanawha Minnow Fatlips Minnow Stargazing Minnow Bigeye Chub Highback Chub Spotfin Chub Bigmouth Chub Whitetail Shiner Steelcolor Shiner Satinfin Shiner Spotfin Shiner Warpaint Shiner Crescent Shiner White Shiner Common Shiner Striped Shiner Mountain Shiner Rosefin Shiner Rosyface Shiner Tennessee Shiner Saffron Shiner Redlip Shiner Silver Shiner Popeye Shiner Telescope Shiner New River Shiner Sawfin Shiner Mirror Shiner Swallowtail Shiner Emerald Shiner Spottail Shiner Bridle Shiner Swallowtail Shiner Fieryblack Shiner Turquoise Shiner Fathead Minnow Fallfish Continue Browsing Families..... Petromyzontidae, Lampreys Polyodontidae, Paddlefish Acipenseridae, Sturgeons Lepisosteidae, Gars Amiidae, Bowfins Anguillidae, Freshwater Eels Amblyopsidae, Cavefishes Ictaluridae, Catfish Percopsidae, Trout-Perches Salmonidae, Trouts Clupeidae, Herrings Esocidae, Pikes Aphredoderidae, Pirate Perches Umbridae, Mudminnows Fundulidae, Killifishes Poeciliidae, Livebearers Cyprinidae, Minnows Catostomidae, Suckers Gasterosteidae, Sticklebacks Atherinidae, Silversides Cottidae, Sculpins Sciaenidae, Drums Percidae, Perches Moronidae, Striped Basses Centrarchidae, Sunfishes