Oldest Goldfish: The Fish That Defied All Scientific Facts

Without a doubt, the goldfish is a strong contender in the race of the world’s favorite pets.

They are adorable, active, and are relatively easy to care for. You wouldn’t be alone if you wanted to have a pet goldfish when you were a kid, the urge to have a goldfish as a pet is undeniable.

But is it possible that these seemingly innocent creatures are not so innocent after all? Is the lifespan of a goldfish as short as people make it out to be? This article gives insights on these questions and many more. Read to learn all about goldfish, from their upkeep to their origin! Afterward, also check do goldfish sleep and comet goldfish size.

Which goldfish holds the record for being the oldest?

A goldfish named Tish holds the record for being the oldest fish that ever lived. It claims that the old goldfish lived until the ripe age of 43. Although another old goldfish possibly lived longer to outlive the Tish, Tish remains the officially longest-lived goldfish.

According to his owners, Hilda and Gordon, Tish the fish had a habit of jumping out of a bowl until they added a protective layer of net.

Another goldfish named Goldie could quite possibly be the oldest goldfish who died at the age of 45 but has not officially been named so due to the absence of documentation. A scale sample could have been taken to prove Goldie’s age, but the owners, Tom and Pauline Evans, did not want the fish to be subjected to the stress. The oldest goldfish in Britain, George, died aged 44. George’s owner, retired engineer Keith, won him and his companion, Fred, at a funfair in 1974, which was to die of old age as well.

How long do goldfish normally live for?

Goldfish can typically live up to 15- 20 years of age if healthy and given proper care. It is of the view that pet goldfishes do not live a very long life.

We often see feeder goldfish being sold for less than a dollar. They are freely given away in school events and county fairs as prizes. It is not the case that goldfish naturally have a shorter life span, but their brief lifespan can be attributed to mistreatment by their owners.

There are many types of goldfish, and their life expectancy varies depending on their type. The slim-bodied goldfish can even live up to 20 years of age. On the other hand, fancy goldfish’s lifespan ranges from 7-12 years. It is so because, in comparison to the slim-bodied goldfish, they are much frailer. The biological processes of the fancy goldfish are also much easier to disrupt as their organs are packed into a small, squat, round body. The lifespan of a goldfish depends on factors like genetics, environment, but if the fish is healthy, it mainly depends on the fish-keeping knowledge and experience of the owner.

How to take care of your goldfish?

Like all other beings, the lifespan of a goldfish is determined by how healthy it is. To keep the goldfish healthy and fit, it is essential to make sure that the tank is cleaned regularly, the goldfish are fed a healthy diet and not overfed at times, their tank mates are chosen wisely, and that the tank is filtered regularly.

A clean environment is of utmost importance while caring for a goldfish. The goldfish produce a lot of waste, and their environment can quickly turn toxic if routine water changes are skipped. Investing in an efficient filter will be crucial to the goldfish’s health. In addition to pellets and flakes, a healthy diet for a goldfish also includes some vegetables, live food like worms, and even fruit to keep any health issues far away from them. Overfeeding the goldfish can prove fatal as it causes digestive health problems and constipation.

The other fish in the tank should be chosen wisely, keeping in mind the competition for food. Fancy goldfishes should never be kept together with slim-bodied ones as they are weaker and will eventually get preyed on. Goldfish owners having a goldfish like a comet goldfish know that regular fish food is entirely safe for the goldfish. Even though an aquarium is needed for the goldfish to swim, just keeping one goldfish will affect the longevity of the age of the fish in a good way, since the oldest living goldfish to swim was kept alone; it may even outlive the oldest recorded goldfish and make its own world record!

Where can you find goldfish?

Goldfish can be easily found in the slow-moving freshwater and slightly murky waters like their close relative, the carp. As pets, goldfish thrive in aquariums with live plants and dirt bottoms.

The goldfish generally like sluggish and calm waters and are frequently found in stagnant backwaters with no currents.

Their family, Cyprinidae freshwater fish, are native to East Asia. They were first selectively bred in China for color and consumption about 1,000 years ago. Their status then changed from being produced for consumption to being produced for entertainment. From then, it did not take long for them to spread to other parts of the world. Goldfish can be found in the United States today in most states, including California, North Carolina, New Jersey, Missouri, Wisconsin, Nebraska, Iowa, Louisiana, Minnesota, New Mexico, Rhode Island, Arkansas, and Massachusetts.

No matter how strong the temptation is, one should never release goldfish into their local stream or lake. In the wild, these cute pet fishes turn feral. This can lead to goldfish infestation in native lakes and cause an imbalance in the native fish population. A goldfish may cost less than a dollar for a few owners, but the havoc they create if released in the wild costs the concerned authorities thousands of dollars.

It doesn’t take long for these fishes to turn from pet to pest in the wild as they are the world’s worst invasive species. It may appear as if one is doing a favor to the fish by releasing them into the wild. Still, this act will eventually lead to a disaster for the local ecology, which might put numerous other species at risk. In their bowls, the goldfish may look cute and adorable at home, but let loose in the wild, they can grow into giant fishes almost the size of American footballs. Not only do the goldfish multiply at a fast rate they also carry parasites and diseases that are incredibly harmful to the delicately balanced ecosystems.

Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly facts for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our suggestions for oldest goldfish: the fish that defied all scientific facts, then why not take a look at goldfish turning black or goldfish colors.