Species profile
Goldfish
Carassius auratus
Identify Goldfish (Carassius auratus) from a photo — free, unlimited, no sign-up — with the CatchRules iPhone app. Plus current fishing rules across 11 jurisdictions.
At a glance
Goldfish (Carassius auratus) is an IUCN Least Concern bony-fish species regulated in 14 of 66 jurisdictions tracked by CatchRules across the U.S. and Canada.
Confirmed by 3,415 research-grade iNaturalist observations, with Ontario, California, and New York the top jurisdictions by observation count.
Notable details
- Selectively bred in China for over 1,000 years from wild carp.
- In outdoor ponds, goldfish can grow to 16 inches and weigh several pounds.
- Can live over 20 years; the oldest on record reportedly lived 43 years.
- Lack a true stomach — food passes directly through their intestines.
- Feral populations have established in rivers and lakes across North America.
Where Goldfish are seen
Jurisdictions with rules for Goldfish
Background
The goldfish (Carassius auratus) is a freshwater fish in the family Cyprinidae of order Cypriniformes. It is one of the most commonly kept aquarium fish.
Background excerpt adapted from Wikipedia's Goldfish article (CC BY-SA). Visit Wikipedia for the full entry.
Other bony fish on CatchRules
Frequently asked questions
What is Goldfish?
Goldfish (Carassius auratus) is an IUCN Least Concern bony-fish species regulated in 14 of 66 jurisdictions tracked by CatchRules across the U.S. and Canada.
What is the scientific name for Goldfish?
Goldfish is Carassius auratus.
Is Goldfish regulated for fishing?
Yes — Goldfish has fishing regulations in 11 U.S. states and/or Canadian provinces tracked by CatchRules. See the "Jurisdictions with rules" section above for the binding-source links.
How can I identify Goldfish?
Take a photo with the free CatchRules iPhone app — on-device identification recognizes Goldfish along with ~1,500 other species. No sign-up, unlimited use.
Photo credit: iNaturalist / Wikipedia. Identification reference only — verify regulations with the issuing wildlife agency before retaining a catch.