Carassius Auratus: Common Goldfish |
Posted: March 12, 2018 |
Introduction The Carassius auratus is an extremely prominent aquarium fish among the pet fish managers because of its splendid body shape and stunning tinge. It is also called common goldfish. It is a ray finned fish under carp family (Family: Cyprinidae) of order Cypriniformes. Now it is representative of wild version of the fancy Goldfish.
Distribution and habitat It is a freshwater fish and in wild condition, it is distributed in Japan, Siberia and China but it is now found in all over the world as a popular aquarium fish. In nature it prefers to live in streams, rivers, lakes, ponds, ditches, burrowing pits, floodplains where stagnant or slow flowing waters with submerged vegetations are available.
Body shape and colors Body is more or less elongate with deeply forked caudal fin but the head is triangular in shape. Body colors vary from gold to olive green or rich white. It has long dorsal fin while the pelvic fin is broad and short.
Body size and Lifespan It can grow up to 14 cm in length and can live up to 15 years or more if proper care is taken.
Quick Facts Scientific Name: Carassius auratus Origin: China, Japan Maximum Size: 8 – 14 cm Temperament: Very peaceful Tank Level: All Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons Diet: Omnivore Breeding: Egg layers Water pH: 6.0-8.0 Hardness: 5 to 20° dGH Water Temperature: 65.0 to 75.0° F Water current: Moderate Lighting need: Moderate - normal lighting Care level: Easy Lifespan: 10 - 15 years or more
Feeding It is omnivorous fish and its diet consists of aquatic plants, insects and its larvae, different zooplankton like Daphnia, Cyclops, Diaptomous, Moina, rotifers, and detritus and other benthic invertebrates, etc. In aquarium condition, it takes as a food like live and frozen foods such as tubifex, insect larvae (=mosquito larva, chironomids), Daphnia, Cyclops, Artemia (=brine shrimp) etc. To keep your fish healthy, you should offer vegetable based feeds like peas, lettuce, duckweed, Azolla, diatoms and algae etc. Feed must be given 2-3 times daily.
Housing and Care The Carassius auratus is an exceptionally alluring fish among both the newcomer and experienced aquarium specialists because of its beautiful body and toughness. It requires no less than a 30 gallons tank, however bigger is suggested. The tank should have great water quality with efficient filtration system and moderate water movement. The tank ought to be decorated with rock substrate with some aquarium plants for concealing spots. 20-25 % water changes should be done at weekly basis to make your tank condition sound. One thing is needed to be kept in mind and that is the use of air pump as it ensures the oxizanition of the tank. Visit here to know more about the perfect air pump for your aquarium.
Tank mates It is a community fish and it is better to keep in groups of 5 or more individuals. When it is kept in other goldfish it feels more comfortable. Besides these, you may keep it with other tank mates like white cloud mountain minnows, Chinese Blue Bitterling, the Northern Redbelly Dace and other similar Cyprinids.
Breeding It is a very hardy fish and in captive condition it can easily breed when special care is taken. The breeding tank should have aquatic plants and good water quality with a pH of 6.0-8.0 and a temperature that should be between 60 and 750 F. Generally the goldfish breeds at the age of one year. The mature female breeds in the early morning. At this time it lays about 1000 eggs on the plant surface. The eggs hatch within 48-72 hours. The fry should be fed with infusonia and artemia or brine shrimp for three times daily.
Sexing It is very difficult to make the differences between the male and female. Generally the male is smaller in size and slimmer than the female of the same age. But breeding season, in males white spot or tubercles are seen around the gill areas, but the female belly becomes swollen due to carry eggs in her belly.
Conclusion The Carassius auratus is a very beautiful and attractive fish. In aquarium condition, sometimes it is affected by ich and parasitic infection due to inappropriate maintenance of tank environment. In this case, good water quality with proper diet should be maintained to make your aquarium inhabitants happy. After all, it is a gorgeous fish among the most of the pet fish keepers.
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