2007-11-01 03:31:11 · 11 answers · asked by PiRaHnA 2 in Pets ➔ Fish
Sorry to those Answerers who cavalierly said it's a goldfish if it's gold. No. Goldfish colors other than the typical orange/gold/red can be chocolate, blue, pearl, and even purple. So, that's not always correct. I think the only and best way to confirm whether your fish is a goldfish is to look at pictures of goldfish. They are distinctive and you will know by looking. Here is a link to some good pictures and descriptions of many different types of goldfish.
2007-11-01 05:52:06 · answer #1 · answered by Venice Girl 6 · 3⤊ 3⤋
Look up Carassius Auratus or Goldfish in a book or on the Internet. There are so many varieties of goldfish that there is no simple answer. Common, Comet, Shubunkin, Oranda, Ryukin, Lionhead, ranchu, Tosakin, Jikin, Bubbleeyes, Telescopes, moors, and so on, are all goldfish and can cross breed.
Koi may look similar to a common goldfish but they have barbels which will let you recognise them.
2007-11-01 05:10:52 · answer #2 · answered by Gerard S 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Goldfish come in a number of varieties, so it could help if you compared your fish to known types: http://www.kokosgoldfish.com/ftypes.html
Koi (and carp) are similar to some of the types, but if you look closely at the mouth, koi have long barbels (whiskers) - see photo: http://flippersandfins.net/Images/GoldieKoiA.JPG These wouldn't be noticeable on a goldfish.
There are a few minnows that resemble goldfish (goldfish and koi/carp are in the minnow family), but only the goldfish and koi have a long dorsal (top) fin that covers most of the length of the back: see photo of koi from above and goldfish: http://www.bristol-aquarists.org.uk/goldfish/common/red_common_goldfish_2000-1.jpg and compare that with this minnow (golden shiner): http://www.samford.edu/schools/artsci/biology/zoology/vertzoo-05s/photos/Golden-Shiner-(Notemigonus-.jpg These characteristics should be enough to tell you if it is a goldfish. Of course, posting a photo of it would also help.
NOTE to Venice Girl's comment: Goldfish, carp/koi, and minnows are all in the family Cyprinidae, they are just different genera. You might want to check what source you use for taxomony!
http://www.fishbase.org/Summary/SpeciesSummary.php?id=271
http://www.fishbase.org/Summary/SpeciesSummary.php?id=1450
2007-11-01 03:55:42 · answer #3 · answered by copperhead 7 · 4⤊ 1⤋
if your fish is orange or black it could be a gold fish. Really you need to compare it to pictures online.
there are several different body styles of goldfish from comet to lion head, so look at a variety of different pictures. It would help if you posted a picture.
2007-11-01 03:49:57 · answer #4 · answered by Alison B 4 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Who did you get it from? There are a variety of goldfish out there, look online at fish photos:)
2007-11-01 04:58:35 · answer #5 · answered by boncarles 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋
If you could post a picture we could tell you what it is. If not, then how much did you pay for it? How long have you had it? and how big is it now? This will help everyone have a better idea of what you have. Can you describe the color in detail?
2007-11-01 03:44:07 · answer #6 · answered by stulisa42 4 · 3⤊ 1⤋
the easist way to do this is google goldfish pics.
2007-11-01 05:31:14 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
well if you want to know your fish is a goldfish check the colour of the fish
2007-11-01 03:38:16 · answer #8 · answered by Naruto 2 · 0⤊ 7⤋
Huh? If you don't know what kind it is, you shouldn't have one in the first place.
2007-11-01 07:25:24 · answer #9 · answered by TopPotts 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
If it's orange, it's a gold fish, this fish belongs to the carp family.
2007-11-01 03:41:37 · answer #10 · answered by nexteltom17 4 · 0⤊ 7⤋