Facts and Information
As it matures, this large bodied fish's head forms a wen, or hood growth on its cap. Goldfish are a domensticated form of an Asian carp called the Gibel and have highly morphological characteristics depending on their environment. This means their physical characteristics are prone to mutation; exactly why this fish has so many different forms. Originally, the Gibel carp was a stout, silvery fish with a forked tail and a normal, fish-like build. By selectively breeding these fish, desirable characteristics were passed on to the next generation until what we know as the Goldfish doesn't resemble its ancestor at all. It was during the Chun dynasty (265 to 419 A.D.) that the familiar gold coloration first appeared. Several hundred years later, these "goldfish" were being kept and reared in Buddist monasteries. During the Nan Song dynasty (1127-1279), the highly-coveted red and white coloration was developed. After that, the fish continued to evolve into many "types".
PH Levels - 6 to 8
Hardness Levels - 80 to 320 ppm
Temperature - 55 to 78°F
Size - Large
Possible Tankmates - Gold Fish, Koi