How long do goldfish live for?

Question

I've had one for 13 years.

Answer 1

well goldfishes can live for ever. if u keep it in a clean environment such as the water temperture is normal and the water is cleaned and u feed them properly then the fish can grow and live for god know how long..ITS LIKE ASKING HOW LONG DO HUMANS LIVE FOR... AS LONG AS UR HEALTHY U CAN LIVE FOR HOW LONG GOD WANTS U TO LIVE FOR

Answer 2

They can live over 40 yrs if you really take care of them. Most don't live that long because people don't realize the average goldfish needs at least 25 gallon tank to live comfortably in. That means if you have two goldfish you need a 50 gallon tank. The are coldwater fish and need a very clean tank because they produce a lot of waste compared to other species.

Answer 3

The oldest living Goldfish to date was a goldfish named Tish owned by Hilda and Gordon Hand of Thirsk, N. Yorkshire, England. Tish lived for 43 years after being won at a fairground in 1956.


Goldfish can have lifespans up to 20+ years if they are fed a varied diet and housed in exceptional water conditions. They need to be in tanks that are not overcrowded. They need sufficient swimming room and do best if they are kept with their own types.

Answer 4

I stole my goldfish from my Grandads pond 14 years ago so not entirely sure how old it was when i got it.

When i first got it, it was about five inches long and now in it's tank in the kitchen it has grown to 8 inches! And in it's old age it first turned to silver and is now going transparent i can see all it's organs in the last two inches of it's body. I only clean it out every two months and feed him three times a week, but you know what they say treat them mean, keep them keen!Every time i go past i have a quick look to see if it's floating on the top but no it's still there!

Answer 5

I had three goldfish from a fairground when i was a kid, it lasted too long than i hoped! it's lived to 15/17 years! but that down to looking after it properly away from direct sunlight, feeding in small dose each day and washing the tank out on a regular basis which is down to my wonderful mother! When one died, other two lived for two more years within a week apart! sniff....

Answer 6

Golden carp and koi can live a very long time. I've heard reports of people who have had goldfish in ponds for more than 40 years!

Answer 7

I seriously remember reading about a goldfish that was like 40. They have a long lifespan when they are taken care of properly. Search for Bruce the Oranda. He was the record holder for the largest size, too. Huge!!!

Answer 8

It depends on the condition of the water and the upkeep of your fish. My mom has had the same goldfish for about 6 years now. Wtg on getting one to 13 years old! You must really take good care of them.

Answer 9

My friend lost one of her two goldfish at the age of seventeen, three years ago... she has it's mate still... they were her children's pets... and though they've always lived inside in a tank, they've outgrown three already, she has upgraded sizes.

The surviver was seriously depressed for weeks after its mate died, but is still going strong now, it must be between ten inches to a foot in length.

It must be twentyish at the very least, could be much older!

Talking of long lived pets:

A cat we had as children, lived to the age of 27.
A rabbit my children had, lived to a similar age.

Answer 10

Oranda Goldfish have been known to live for almost 40 years. I imagine common varieties probably longer.

Answer 11

I won a goldfish at a traction engine rally when I was 2. It died just after married my husband 24 years later!