Goldfish
Carassius auratus · family Cyprinidae
Also: Common Goldfish
Parameters
- Temperature
- 18–22 °C
- pH
- 6.5–8
- Hardness
- 5–19 °dGH
- Tank volume
- from 150 L
- Maximum size
- up to 30 cm
- Group size
- min 2, ideal 3
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Swimming zone
- Throughout
- Difficulty
- Intermediate
- Lifespan
- 10–20 years
Health & Common Diseases
Key risks, vulnerability factors, and veterinarian-reviewed treatment guides.
Ich (White Spot Disease)
Prone during stress, cold drafts, or transport. Treat the entire tank at the first sign of white spots.
Fin Rot
Bacterial ray melting or stress-induced fin biting. Treated with pristine warm water (26–28 °C), catappa leaves, and short salt baths for severe cases.
Dropsy (Pinecone Disease)
Bacterial fluid buildup often triggered by metabolic stress, sudden ammonia spikes, or low temperatures.
Description
The goldfish is a cold-water crucian carp, domesticated in China more than a thousand years ago. Many fancy strains exist: veiltails, telescopes, orandas, ryukins, and more.
The classic mistake is keeping them in round bowls under 30 L. The result is spinal deformity, kidney failure, and a lifespan of 1–2 years instead of 10–20.
Care
Volume
Minimum 150 L for a pair of fantails. For long-bodied forms — a pond or 400+ L.
Filtration
Goldfish are big and messy. A filter rated at 6–10× volume per hour, plus weekly 30% water changes.
Feeding
Sinking pellets for cold-water fish (floating pellets cause air-swallowing and swim-bladder problems in fancy forms) + blanched peas and zucchini.
Compatibility
- Danger
- Danger
- Danger
- Caution
FAQ
- Сколько живёт золотая рыбка?
- В аквариуме хорошего объёма — 10–20 лет; в круглых вазочках — менее 2 лет.
Goldie editorial team
Practising aquarists with a combined 30+ years of experience · Biologists and editors, fact-checking against FishBase and Seriously Fish · Every piece is reviewed by a qualified ichthyologist before publication
Scientific board — ichthyologists and veterinarians
Ichthyologists and veterinarians with university degrees · Reference FishBase, Seriously Fish and peer-reviewed literature · Sign every reviewed article with their credentials shown
Sources
- FishBase: Carassius auratus · FishBase · 2026-05-22
- Seriously Fish: Carassius auratus · Seriously Fish · 2026-05-22