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Goldfish
Goldfish,  Carassius auratus

 
Physical Description: 
�	Stocky, deep, and compressed body 
�	Long-based dorsal fin
�	Forked tail fin
�	Terminal mouth, blunt nose
�	Tubercles present on head, back, and pectoral fins
�	Body colors are variable

Similar species: 
�	Common carp (Cyprinus carpio)

Mean body size:
�	Adults are 130-400 mm total length 

Habitat:
�	Vegetated pools and backwaters in warm streams, ponds, lakes, and reservoirs
�	Very tolerant of high temperatures and poor water quality

Distribution in VA:
�	Native to Asia and eastern Europe, introduced into Virginia

Food Habits:  
�	Phytoplankton, plants, insects, and small fish

Reproductive Habits: 
�	Mature at age 1 
�	Spawning occurs late April to about June or July in water at 16-29�C over plants 
�	One or more males court and chase a female
�	Adhesive eggs laid in open water over plants
�	Fecundity is about 400,000 eggs per female 

Population Status, Economic, or Ecological Importance: 
�	Popular aquarium fish
�	First exotic fish introduced to North America
�	Hatchery-raised for bait and as an ornamental

References:       

Jenkins, R.E and N.M. Burkhead. 1993. Freshwater Fishes of Virginia. American Fisheries Society, Bethesda, Maryland. 
If you are seeking more information for the above species click on the VAFWIS logo (The Virginia Fish and Wildlife Information Service):

VAFWIS
Goldfish
Goldfish
Carp
Carp
Grass Carp
Grass Carp
Silver Carp
Silver Carp
Golden Shiner
Golden Shiner
Mountain Redbelly Dace
Mtn. Redbelly Dace
Southern Redbelly Dace
So. Redbelly Dace
Rosyside Dace
Rosyside Dace
Longnose Dace
Longnose Dace
Blacknose Dace
Blacknose Dace
Blacknose Dace
Blacknose Dace
Stoneroller
Stoneroller
Pearl Dace
Pearl Dace
Fallfish
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Tonguetied Minnow
Tonguetied Minnow
Creek Chub
Creek Chub
Cutlips Minnow
Cutlips Minnow
Bull Chub
Bull Chub
Bluehead Chub
Bluehead Chub
River Chub
River Chub
Slender Chub
Slender Chub
Streamline Chub
Streamline Chub
Blotched Chub
Blotched Chub
Kanawha Minnow
Kanawha Minnow
Fatlips Minnow
Fatlips Minnow
Stargazing Minnow
Stargazing Minnow
Bigeye Chub
Bigeye Chub
Highback Chub
Highback Chub
Spotfin Chub
Spotfin Chub
Bigmouth Chub
Bigmouth Chub
Whitetail Shiner
Whitetail Shiner
Steelcolor Shiner
Steelcolor Shiner
Satinfin Shiner
Satinfin Shiner
Spotfin Shiner
Spotfin Shiner
Warpaint Shiner
Warpaint Shiner
Crescent Shiner
Crescent Shiner
White Shiner
White Shiner
Common Shiner
Common Shiner
Striped Shiner
Striped Shiner
Mountain Shiner
Mountain Shiner
Rosefin Shiner
Rosefin Shiner
Rosyface Shiner
Rosyface Shiner
Tennessee Shiner
Tennessee Shiner
Saffron Shiner
Saffron Shiner
Redlip Shiner
Redlip Shiner
Silver Shiner
Silver Shiner
Popeye Shiner
Popeye Shiner
Telescope Shiner
Telescope Shiner
New River Shiner
New River Shiner
Sawfin Shiner
Sawfin Shiner
Mirror Shiner
Mirror Shiner
Swallowtail Shiner
Swallowtail Shiner
Emerald Shiner
Emerald Shiner
Spottail Shiner
Spottail Shiner
Bridle Shiner
Bridle Shiner
Swallowtail Shiner
Swallowtail Shiner
Fieryblack Shiner
Fieryblack Shiner
Turquoise Shiner
Turquoise Shiner
Fathead Minnow
Fathead Minnow
Fallfish
Fallfish

Continue Browsing Families.....
  1. Petromyzontidae, Lampreys
  2. Polyodontidae, Paddlefish
  3. Acipenseridae, Sturgeons
  4. Lepisosteidae, Gars
  5. Amiidae, Bowfins
  6. Anguillidae, Freshwater Eels
  7. Amblyopsidae, Cavefishes
  8. Ictaluridae, Catfish
  9. Percopsidae, Trout-Perches
  10. Salmonidae, Trouts
  11. Clupeidae, Herrings
  12. Esocidae, Pikes
  13. Aphredoderidae, Pirate Perches
  14. Umbridae, Mudminnows
  15. Fundulidae, Killifishes
  16. Poeciliidae, Livebearers
  17. Cyprinidae, Minnows
  18. Catostomidae, Suckers
  19. Gasterosteidae, Sticklebacks
  20. Atherinidae, Silversides
  21. Cottidae, Sculpins
  22. Sciaenidae, Drums
  23. Percidae, Perches
  24. Moronidae, Striped Basses
  25. Centrarchidae, Sunfishes

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