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FISH GUIDE · Freshwater

Goldfish: identification, habitat and fishing guide

Carassius auratus

Goldfish include ornamental forms; in the wild their colour may be subdued.

Catalogue names : Poisson rouge. Forms and names may vary between habitats.

Editorial review : · This species guide is not permission to fish. Read the precautions below and check the current rules for your location before targeting a species. Some species or populations are protected.

Geographical distribution

Native to East Asia, notably China. Domestic forms were widely distributed and introduced to other parts of the world, including Europe. Wild-living populations outside the original range must not be mistaken for native occurrence.

  • Native range : East Asia
  • Introduction : Europe

Documented areas, not an exhaustive list. Presence in a region does not imply presence in every water body or permission to fish.

Distribution sources

Identification

No barbels; red, golden or brown colouring is insufficient to distinguish it from Prussian carp and hybrids.

Habitat

Slow or standing waters, often vegetated; many observations involve fish originating from captivity.

Diet

Omnivorous: plants, detritus and small invertebrates.

Behaviour

A population originating from released fish may disrupt the habitat; do not release aquarium fish into the wild.

In Western Australia, acoustic tracking cited by DWER shows that goldfish can move within a river; do not assume that they remain at their release point. This regional finding does not measure movements in France.

Indicative biological size

5–20 cm for wild fish described in the 2025 synthesis on New Zealand’s Te Arawa lakes; this reference does not cover every form or French population.

Fishing context and precautions

Prevent releases: do not release aquarium fish or aquarium water into the wild. If you must part with a pet, contact a veterinarian, shelter or specialist association. For a fish caught in natural waters, do not move it to another water body; ask for local instructions without requiring an invasive examination to distinguish Carassius species.

A distinctive feature

Goldfish are ornamental forms: the name does not imply permanent red colouring.

Sources and review

Each reference includes its access date. Overall editorial review: . Local conditions and regulations may change.

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