What is a goldfish lifespan?

Goldfish 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.

How long do goldfish live in a bowl?

Author Note: A Goldfish living in a bowl is lucky to make it to one year. Even if you do things right and perform frequent water changes, the average lifespan in a bowl is only two to three years.

Can goldfish live 40 years?

There are hundreds of varieties of goldfish in the world, and your fish's genetics and their early development will set natural limits on their possible lifespan. In general, however, goldfish are the longest-living pet fish and can live up to 40 years!

Can goldfish live for 12 years?

It might surprise you to know that goldfish can live for decades! The average life expectancy of a goldfish is 10-15 years, but it's not uncommon for them to live 20 years or longer. The longest living goldfish on record was a goldfish a young boy won at a fair in the UK.

Can goldfish live for 50 years?

Some species of goldfish can live over 20 years, with 30 years being a potential norm for these types of goldfish. In fact, the Guinness Book of World Records currently has a 43 year old Goldfish named Tish listed as the oldest goldfish on record.

How Long Do Goldfish Live? What Is The Average Lifespan Goldfish

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.

Do goldfish need friends?

Keeping at least two goldfish in an aquarium is recommended to provide companionship and promote activity. Solitary fish can exhibit depression and lethargy. Goldfish are generally not aggressive so they can be kept with most community fish provided the other fish are larger than the size of the goldfish's mouth.

Why is my goldfish turning white?

Did you know that goldfish have pigment in their skin? This pigment can react to UV light in some fish. So, your goldfish could turn white due to both a lack of sunlight or too much sunlight. In the case of too much light, fish usually respond to the dramatic change.

Why do goldfish turn black?

Ammonia changes are, by far, the most common reason why goldfish turn black. Generally, the color change starts on the fins. Over time, it can get progressively worse and spread to the body. There, it'll appear as small batches of black skin that look burnt.

What is the oldest goldfish?

Goldfish 43 years

A goldfish named Tish, owned by Hilda and Gordon Hand of Carlton Miniott, North Yorkshire, UK, lived for 43 years. Hilda's son Peter won Tish at a fairground stall in 1956.

Do fishes sleep?

While fish do not sleep in the same way that land mammals sleep, most fish do rest. Research shows that fish may reduce their activity and metabolism while remaining alert to danger. Some fish float in place, some wedge themselves into a secure spot in the mud or coral, and some even locate a suitable nest.

Can you 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.

How often do you need to change goldfish water?

Generally speaking, you should change some of your goldfish's tank water once per week. We say “generally speaking”, because you will need to do more regular water changes in some situations.

How can you tell if a goldfish is dying?

Weakness or listlessness. Loss of balance or buoyancy control, floating upside down, or 'sitting' on the tank floor (most fish are normally only slightly negatively-buoyant and it takes little effort to maintain position in the water column) Erratic/spiral swimming or shimmying.

Is keeping a goldfish cruel?

Unfortunately, despite traditions, experts generally agree that most goldfish bowls are unsuitable for goldfish – keeping goldfish in one can be considered inhumane.

Do goldfish recognize their owners?

Pet goldfish can distinguish between humans, and often recognise the human that regularly feeds them. Pet goldfish can also seem quite scared of new people, but become more comfortable with their owners over time as they realise they aren't a threat.

How often should I feed my goldfish?

Feed 2-3 times daily. It is important to avoid overfeeding goldfish as this can cause indigestion and/or contaminate the tank. In terms of the amount to feed, a good rule of thumb is to only feed an amount that the goldfish can consume in under two minutes or only feed as much as the size of the goldfish's eye.

Why goldfish turn upside down?

Your goldfish will swim upside down due to impaired buoyancy, a symptom of swim bladder disease – a common ailment associated with aquarium fish that causes a malfunction of their swim bladder. Without proper bladder function, fish will lose their ability to swim properly.

Do goldfish need sunlight?

Unlike some other fish, goldfish don't require ultraviolet light, and may not need a heat light because they live in cool water. However, light still plays an important role in goldfish health, and without a daily and consistent light cycle, your goldfish may become ill.

Does a goldfish sleep?

Unlike people, goldfish do not lie down when they sleep. Rather, they become less active, staying in one place and moving slowly to keep themselves stable. They look like they are hovering in the tank or pond, usually low in the water, an inch or so off the bottom, with their heads pointed slightly downward.

Is it true that if you keep a goldfish in a dark room it will turn white?

Goldfish will lose their color and turn white if they are kept in the dark and not exposed to any sunlight. Goldfish actually see more colors than humans.

Can goldfish live in tap water?

Goldfish can only live in tap water when it has been properly treated to remove harmful chemicals. What is this? Tap water contains chemicals that will kill all of the 'good bacteria' in your tank. Good bacteria develops through a process called cycling, which we talk about in more detail here.

How can I play with my goldfish?

You can actually interact with your goldfish by teaching them to swim through hoops and push balls around. You can also feed them with your fingers. Playing with your goldfish is a fun and engaging way to enjoy owning a pet fish.

Do goldfish get sad?

According to researchers, fish can get depressed, too, and studies are being done on the aquatic animals in an effort to find treatments for humans suffering from the disorder. You might be wondering what people could possibly have in common with fish, but experts say there's more than you think.