A Brief History of Goldfish
A Ranchu floating next to an albino Comet Goldfish - A group of goldfish
is referred to as a "troubling"
Exotic Goldfish (also known
as "Fancy Goldfish", "Oriental Goldfish" or "Chinese
Goldfish") are the earliest fish to be domesticated by humans. All
modern goldfish are decended from Carassius
auratus gibelio carp (aka, the "Gibel Carp") that lived in
East Asia in the 3rd century.
The gold color was first observed in pond carp in China approximately 1700 years ago during the Jin Dynasty. They were first bred in captivity approximately 1000 years ago during the Tang Dynasty by Buddist Monks. This was the first appearance of the Common Goldfish.
The gold is a mutation that was very desriable and aggressively cultivated until it became the standard color of modern goldfish. Other color variations followed several centuries later, the most recent being the Blue and Chocolate (red/brown) varieties. Common Goldfish were first introduced to Japan in the 1500s, to Europe in the 1700s, and to the United States in the mid 1800s.
An image of a Gibel Carp, the common ancestor of all modern goldfish
All goldfish are the same species, despite their extreme differences in
appearance, and all are capable of interbreeding. When different breeds
of goldfish mate, the offspring they produce what are referred to as "sport"
varieties and commonly have attributes from both parent breeds (though these
are frowned upon by purists). Contrary to popular belief, the Goldfish did
not "evolve" from the Gibel Carp; genetically they are the same
species, in the same way that a Bulldog and a Poodle are the same species.
They are Gibel Carp that have been selectively bred by humans to fix certain
traits. Goldfish can breed with the wild Gibel carp and still produce viable
offspring.
Isolmetric view of a typical Koi
Koi
are not Goldfish. They are not only a different species, but also a different
genus. Both are members of the cyprinidae
family however. The relationship of Koi to Goldfish is similar to that
of Horses and Donkeys; They
can breed, but the offspring are sterile and usually unappealing. Unlike
goldfish, all Koi have a traditional fish-shaped body. The only way Koi
differ from each other is the patterns on their skin; they never have radically
different body shapes or split fins like goldfish. Koi mouths are more rounded
in profile, and positioned lower on the body. True Koi will always have
barbels (whiskers) on the sides of their mouths. Goldfish and Koi/Goldfish
hybrids do not.
Ironically, despite the fact that both Koi and Goldfish are very colorful, their hybrid offspring are usually grey and bland like normal carp. However, these hybrids are hardier than either species, and can survive in more extreme conditions. Most "breeding" between the two species is not deliberate, with one species fertilizing the eggs of the other by accident when spawing with their own kind in the same pond. Back to Top
Goldfish Longevity
"Goldie", the oldest recorded goldfish
Goldfish have the longest lifespan of any domesticated fish in the world.
Most goldfish raised in captivity have a lifespan of between 8 and 30 years, though at least one case exists of a fish that survived in captivity for 45 years (Guinness would not accept the record without hard evidence...the "official" record holder died at 43 years old in 1999). Anecdotal evidence exists for goldfish that have lived even longer than that.
They range in size as adults from 4 inches to almost 18 inches (the more exotic the breed, the smaller they tend to be as adults). Back to Top
Goldfish Behavior
This calico Fantail Goldfish that has been trained to do a number of tricks
The idea that goldfish have three second memories is a myth. Studies have shown they have a memory of at least three months, and can recognize multiple colors and sounds.
They are sufficiently intelligent that they can be trained to do simple tricks such as pushing a lever to get food. At least one has been trained to do complex tricks, like push a small soccer ball through a goal. There is a youtube video showing four goldfish that were tarined to swim in syncronized patterns...the patterns could change on the fly depending on the hand gestures of the trainer. Fish can respond to training using positive reenforcement just as many other animals do.
Top view of a calico Bubble Eye. This one has lots of blue coloration, which is favored in Calico varieties.
Some tests have indicated that their memory and visual accuity seems to be enough to allow them to distinguish between different humans, and can identify certain humans as providers of food. The same tests indicated that they can associate sounds (voices) with food as well.
Goldfish that have long term visual contact with humans (at least several weeks) can become tame, and will stop treating humans as a threat. These tamed fish can be fed by hand. This youtube video shows an example of how tame goldfish can get (be warned: Goldfish should NOT be petted...this rubs off the layer of mucus on their body that protects them from micoscopic parasites and can cause them to get sick...see the Care section for more information).
A pair of Celestial Goldfish
Most "play" behavior is actually either aggression or a precursor to breeding. Males will chase females and (in the absence of available females) other males. Goldfish are normally active, swimming throughout the aquarium. Aggressive behavior (including fin nipping) is typical when new fish are introduced to the tank, but this usually stops after a few days. Lethargic behavior or an inability to stay horizontal usually indicates sickness.
Goldfish are social and can display schooling behavior when kept with the same goldfish for longer periods. Back to Top
 |