Carassius auratus

Species: Carassius auratus

English Name: Goldfish

Chinese Name: 土鲫

Family: Cyprinidae

Description:

This carp has a slightly elongated body with a short and small head, and it varies in pigmentation. The wild-caught specimens vary from olive-brown through gold (often with black blotches) to creamy white pigment. The cultured forms vary through scarlet, red-pink, silver, brown, white, black and combinations of these colors. Can grow up to a length of 32 cm. Lives in rich aquatic water. Feeds on plankton, benthic invertebrates, plant material and detritus. Highly commercialized for human.

© 1991 Shao, Kwang-Tsao

© 1991 Shao, Kwang-Tsao

© 2007 Otterman

© 2007 Otterman

© 2009 Ken Lo

© 2009 Ken Lo

© 2010 bengt-re

© 2010 bengt-re

Photos used under a Creative Commons license

References:

– Lei, Kampeng; Yang, Tingbao; Leung, Cheewah; Huang, Xiao. 1999. Fishes of Macao. Maritime Museum. Association for Promotion of Science and Technology of Macao.

– Kottelat, M., A.J. Whitten, S.N. Kartikasari and S. Wirjoatmodjo, 1993. Freshwater fishes of Western Indonesia and Sulawesi. Periplus Editions, Hong Kong. 221 p.

– Kampenk, Lei; Tingbao, Yang; Cheewah, Leung; Huang, Xiao. 1999. Fishes of Macao. Maritime Museum. Association for Promotion of Science and Technology of Macao, 46 pp.