Not all goldfish are gold colored. They come in all sorts of colors, shapes and sizes. And some of them have very unusual features, such as bulging bubble-eyes and long, tailing fins.
A relatively small member of the carp family, the goldfish is a domesticated version of a dark/olive/brown carp native to East Asia that as introduced to Europe in the late 17th century.
The first golden fish was recorded in China in the Chin dynasty (265-420 AD) and by the Tang dynasty (618-907) goldfish were apparently well established and raised in monasteries.
During the Sung dynasty (960-1279) people kept goldfish in pottery bowls and ornamental ponds.
Goldfish were exported to Japan in 1603, to Europe (Portugal) in 1611, and to the United States in 1874.
Pet fish gained popularity after the world’s first aquarium opened in the London Zoo in 1853.
Goldfish may grow to a maximum length of 23 inches (59 cm) and a maximum weight of 4.5 kgs although this is rare; most individual goldfish grow to under half this size. The oldest recorded goldfish lived to 49 years, but most household goldfish generally live only six to eight years.
Like most domesticated animals that become established in the wild again, even in countries far removed from their original habitat, goldfish have eventually reverted to their natural greenish-golden color, which has greater survival than bright golden coloration.
Domestication of goldfish
