Goldfish (Common/Comet)
⚠ Gets very large & long-lived — pond fish, not a small-tank fish
Overview
The Goldfish (Common/Comet) (Carassius auratus) is a Freshwater (Coldwater) fish growing to about 10–12+ in and living 15–20+ yrs. It's peaceful and best kept in a group. Plan a tank of at least 75+ gal or pond. With a typical lifespan of around 18 years, it's a long commitment.
Is the Goldfish (Common/Comet) right for you?
A good match if — you want a calm community tank.
What a Goldfish (Common/Comet) needs from you
The ongoing work is water quality: filtration, regular water changes and stable parameters. As a coldwater fish it needs no heater, but still a properly sized, filtered tank. Don't undersize the tank (minimum about 75+ gal or pond).
Key facts
- Water type
- Freshwater (Coldwater)
- Scientific name
- Carassius auratus
- Adult size
- 10–12+ in
- Life span
- 15–20+ yrs
- Temperament
- peaceful
- Social needs
- groups
- Min. tank
- 75+ gal or pond
- Care level
- intermediate
- Notes
- ⚠ Gets very large & long-lived — pond fish, not a small-tank fish
What it needs from you (at a glance)
| Space needed | |
| Experience needed | |
| Maintenance | |
| Time per day | |
| Need for company | |
| Handling / closeness | |
| Cost level |
What it costs
Scaled to this breed’s roughly 300 g and a ~18-year life, keeping a Goldfish (Common/Comet) works out at about:
Rough cross-breed averages in USD — a planning guide, not a quote. Break it down by life phase in the Cost Calculator →
Temperament (at a glance)
| Affection | no data yet |
| Energy | no data yet |
| Vocalness | |
| Trainability | no data yet |
| Tolerates alone | no data yet |