
Why do goldfish grow so big in the wild?
- Keep your goldfish in a large rectangular aquarium with the water-filled 1 to 2 inches below the rim. ...
- Use a strong filter that produces a mild current. ...
- Do weekly water changes to remove pollutants that make their way into the water. ...
- Feed your goldfish a diet rich in protein and fiber. ...
How big do comet goldfish really get to be?
The maximum Comet Goldfish size when fully grown is 12 inches long (assuming they have proper space to grow). When you buy a Comet Goldfish, it’s usually a small juvenile that’s only a couple inches long. But that will change in a hurry! As with any fish, their environment plays a big role in how big they can get.
How large can a goldfish get in the wild?
When they are kept as pets in small fish tanks and aquariums, goldfish tend to stay about 1-2 inches long and never grow larger than 6 inches (15 centimeters), according to the DEC. However, in the wild, goldfish often reach 12 to 14 inches (30 to 35 cm) in length.
What is the best tank for a goldfish?
What Fish Can Live with Goldfish?
- Low Temperature Requirements. The first thing you can use to narrow down your search for goldfish tank mates is the preferred temperature range.
- Easy-Going Temperament. For the most part, goldfish are docile and easy-going. ...
- The Right Size. Here’s a trait that many fail to consider. ...
- Matching Activity Levels. ...

How big can common goldfish get?
When they are kept as pets in small fish tanks and aquariums, goldfish tend to stay about 1-2 inches long and never grow larger than 6 inches (15 centimeters), according to the DEC. However, in the wild, goldfish often reach 12 to 14 inches (30 to 35 cm) in length.
How big is the biggest goldfish?
How big can goldfish grow?Burnsville officials found numerous goldfish the size of a football. The largest goldfish weighed four pounds and spanned 15 inches, per CNN.The largest wild goldfish on record was caught in South Carolina last year and weighed nine pounds, reported USA Today.
Do goldfish grow giant?
Depending on the variety, fancy goldfish can also get very large, but not as large as long-body, comet goldfish. We have seen a Ryukin 10″ long and almost the same circumference. Due to their genetic restrictions, most fancy goldfish do not get larger than 6-8″ long, which may or may not include their ornate fins.
What kind of goldfish get big?
Comet goldfish also grow quite large and can reach sizes similar to those of common goldfish.
How long do goldfish live for?
about 10-15 yearsGoldfish have a lifespan averaging about 10-15 years, with some varieties living up to 30 years when provided with proper care. Unfortunately, many goldfish do not reach their lifespan potential due to inadequate housing conditions.
Do goldfish like being touched?
Although goldfish don't like being touched, they may playfully nip your hand if you hand feed them. Usually, this only happens if they have already bonded with you. Try to get other goldfish so it can have playmates.
Do goldfish turn into koi?
Koi and goldfish may look similar, but the two are actually two different species. Goldfish were developed by selectively breeding Prussian carp for color mutations. Today, the goldfish is now considered an entirely new species from the Prussian carp.
How big is a 1 year old goldfish?
Your goldfish will reach about 2 inches in 6 months. As long as it has adequate nutritional support, it'll reach over 3 inches by the end of its first year.
Can u eat goldfish?
Goldfish are as edible as any other freshwater fish. If you choose to eat it, know these facts first: That gross flake and/or pellet stuff is what your fish has been eating exclusively. Pop a pellet or two, that's what your fish will most likely taste like.
Do goldfish grow to tank size?
Myth #2: Goldfish Only Grow to the Size of Their Enclosure When properly cared for, goldfish will not stop growing. Most fishes are in fact what are known as indeterminate growers. This means that, unlike humans, they grow until they die. What really stunts a fish's growth is poor water quality and improper care.
Are black goldfish rare?
As we mentioned earlier, black color changes are pretty rare among all types of goldfish. Thus, you'll need to consider all possible causes to determine the best course of action. Black is actually a notoriously unstable color in goldfish. Many pure black goldfish end up losing the color and turning white or yellow.
Do goldfish get lonely?
Goldfish are just not the same as humans – they're not social animals in the same way that we are, and they don't have the same capacity to get bored or long for companionship. In fact, many of the longest living goldfish have been kept alone, with no obvious harm to their well being.
How Do I Get My Goldfish to Grow Really Large?
I get this question a lot. You see those big chunky goldies online everywhere that can easily fill a grown man’s hand. They’re very impressive! And the truth is:
How Big Should Goldfish Get?
So you’ve learned how big a goldfish CAN get. Is there an answer to how big a goldfish should get?
Wrapping It All Up
I hope you’ve found this post helpful. Now I want to hear what you think. How big is your goldfish? Do you prefer goldfish that are little or those that are like miniature whales? Or maybe you have a question for me.
How big is a goldfish?
But, an adult domesticated goldfish, on average, weighs around 8 ounces and is 2 to 5 inches long. Fancy goldfish varieties, which are slimmer and longer, may weigh up to 12 ounces. But the thing is, goldfish can be a little bigger than these sizes. Take note that goldfish continuously grow throughout their life.
How long do goldfish live?
One goldfish even lived up to 49 years. Most goldfish die young because they are not kept in their ideal conditions. With proper care, a single tail goldfish can live around 20 years. A fancy goldfish, meanwhile, has a life expectancy of 12 years.
What is the longest goldfish in the world?
The world’s longest goldfish, according to Guinness World Records, measured 18.7 inches from tail-fin end to snout. And, there are plenty of other gigantic goldfish discovered. In Danville, Kentucky, a man snagged a humongous 20-pound goldfish.
What is a goldfish?
Goldfish are, in essence, a domesticated variety of an eastern Asian native carp, meaning they do not look natural in the wild. If you catch or see a genuine goldfish in a lake or pond, such an aquarium pet was likely released by its owner in the wild because it was getting too big.
Why do goldfish live in the wild?
For one, their ecosystem and environment are incredibly different. They have a sufficient supply of oxygen, and have plenty of natural filtration and water available, meaning their water will not be contaminated.
Why did goldfish grow so big?
This, in turn, will stunt their growth. As a matter of fact, “Goldie”, the giant goldfish, grew extremely large because it had the ideal water temperatures. Truthfully, Goldie did not even have a big and roomy aquatic environment.
What is the best way to grow goldfish?
Proper nutrition is crucial to your goldfish’s growth, especially in the first year of their life. And, at this stage of their life, it is essential to give them high and healthy amounts of protein.
How Big Does a Common Goldfish Get?
Originally bred from wild carp, the pet goldfish we know and love today have progressed through time from their wild ancestors, through beautifully bred koi carp (aka common carp) of China and East Asia.
Average Weight Of A Goldfish
On average and given adequate food, most goldfish will weigh somewhere around eight ounces, with giant goldfish having the potential to weigh much more (up to 3-4 pounds total in some cases .)
How Big Goldfish Get In a Tank
While the common myth about your typical feeder goldfish growing to massive sizes only based on a larger tank size is mostly untrue, there is some kernel of honesty to it.
How Big Goldfish Get In The Wild
Goldfish living in outdoor ponds or natural environments have the ability to make it to much larger sizes, up to the 15-16” mark.
How Big is the Biggest Goldfish Ever Recorded?
The largest goldfish ever recorded reached a length of 18.7 inches in length! While this isn’t necessarily something that every aquarium goldfish owner should plan for, it’s important to keep in mind when thinking about just how big these fish can get.
How Long Does It Take For a Goldfish to Reach Full Size?
Most goldfish grow fairly quickly upon hatching, up to 1-4” in their first few months of life in the tank.
How Do I Make My Goldfish Grow to Full Size?
Along with generally keeping a good eye on your pet goldfish, there are several other factors to consider when looking at the question of how big do goldfish get.
The Biggest Goldfish In The World
The largest goldfish in the world actually weighed came from the UK and weighed over two pounds! Goldie, as the fish was imaginatively called by its owner, lived 15 years, growing to five inches long and just under 15.5 inches long.
Goldfish Growth Rate
Goldfish grow about an inch per year and grow fastest during their first months of life. Unlike most other common pets, goldfish continue to grow throughout their lives. Goldfish do not grow in spades depending on their environment and other factors.
How Big Can Goldfish Get In The Wild vs. In A Tank?
It is generally believed that modern goldfish are descended from the wild Prussian carp and the crucian carp that originally came from Central Asia, although these fish are now found in Europe, Asia and North America. Goldfish belong to the Cyprinidae family of fish, along with common carp and minnows.
How To Make Goldfish Grow Fast
The best way to help your pet reach its full growth potential is to simply provide it with proper nutrition and care.
In Conclusion
If you want your pet goldfish to mature, you must provide it with a large enough aquarium, excellent filtration, and a balanced and nutritious diet. It also helps to increase the growth rate of the fish by keeping the temperature around 75o.
How can I get my goldfish to grow to full size?
The largest goldfish ever recorded was an impressive 18.7 inches long!
How quickly do goldfish grow?
Goldfish grow rapidly in their first year of life so it is essential that you purchase a tank large enough to accommodate this.
What should I feed my goldfish?
Aside from the factors mentioned above, diet is also extremely important in ensuring your fish is healthy and able to grow to full size.
Conclusion: How Big Do Goldfish Get?
Did you think goldfish were boring? I certainly did… until I started keeping them. Having the basics down, there’s more to learn, and as any goldfish hobbyist knows, one of the most common questions they get is, “How big do they get?” So I decided to give you an answer that’s crystal clear.
How much does a goldfish weigh?
So while goldfish kept in tanks typically weigh 0.2 to 0.6 pounds, in the wild, they can top five pounds, according to National Geographic. These five-pound fish might look unsettling, but Adam Jones, editor and founder of The Goldfish Tank, says they aren’t cause for concern.
How long do goldfish live?
Goldfish live a long time — up to 30 years, according to National Geographic — and reproduce rapidly, multiplying and causing further disruption. In one Minnesota county, not far from Burnsville, at least 30,000 of these fish were removed from a chain of lakes in one day.
Can goldfish grow in tanks?
But, once freed of their tiny bowls and tanks, goldfish can grow shockingly large. “Their size is limited in the tank, but when you release it into the wild, that doesn't exist anymore,” Kate Wilson, an aquatic invasive species coordinator at Alberta Environment and Parks, told The Washington Post in 2015.
Can goldfish be kept in an enclosed tank?
Goldfish might be unthreatening when kept in an enclosed tank, but they can cause serious harm to local ecosystems. In 2018, an influx of large goldfish in West Medical Lake, WA took over and drove away local trout. In years past, biologists have expressed concern about how goldfish could impact Lake Tahoe’s water.
