Goldfish (Carassius auratus) from Annual report.

Annual report.

Goldfish (Carassius auratus)

If you want a pet goldfish, be prepared to consider more than one breed because there are over 100 different kinds of goldfish all over the world! They come in many shapes, sizes, and colors. Some aren’t even gold! While many have a shade of orange somewhere on their bodies, not all do. The largest ones live in outdoor ponds where they can grow to be a foot in length and weigh anywhere from two to five pounds. That’s as big as fish you eat. Nevertheless, goldfish are generally bred for ornamentation and not consumption. When taking care of a pet goldfish, be careful not to overfeed it, though. They will overeat if given the chance, and this can shorten their lives. Also, don’t be surprised if your goldfish begins to recognize you. They will beg for food from the person who usually feeds them by swimming to the surface and opening their mouths at the waterline. However, when a stranger approaches, they may hide. You may think all goldfish look the same, but they don’t think all humans look the same!