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Comet (goldfish)

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iComet Goldfish

Image:100 1109.JPG

Conservation status

Secure

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Scientific classification

Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Actinopterygii
Order:	Cypriniformes
Family:	Cyprinidae
Genus:	Carassius
Species:	C. auratus
Subspecies:	C. a. auratus

Trinomial name

Carassius auratus auratus
(Linnaeus, 1758)

The Comet is a commonly kept form of goldfish, the only type to have originated in the United States. They first appeared in the ponds of the Fish Commission in Washington in the early 1880s. Mr. Hugo Mullertt was the first person to place comet goldfish onto the market in quantity.

Characterized by a long, tall, flowing tailfin, they can be differentiated from the common goldfish, although otherwise they are very similar. Both of these varieties are quite hardy and will do well in an outdoor pond, as well as in indoor cool-water aquariums; however, they should not be kept in "goldfish bowls", as they grow much too large and require frequent water changes and/or filtration. There are also several different varieties of Comet including the Sarasa comet which has a red and white pattern. Comets have a lifespan of approximately 7 to 14 years and thrive in temperatures close to freezing. They can grow to reach 12 inches in length.

1 Common Uses
2 Care
3 Mixing in with others
4 References

[edit] Common Uses

They are often sold inexpensively as food for larger fish, although a diet of live goldfish is probably not healthy for many of the fish they are fed to, such as cichlids or moray eels, neither of which would consume goldfish in their natural environment; indeed, morays live in salt-water and so do not normally eat freshwater fish.

Due to the low prices of Comets, they are the strain of goldfish most commonly given out as carnival prizes. This practice was intended to be made illegal in the recent Animal Welfare Bill however it was removed from the final draft.

[edit] Care

The Comet is easy to keep but still requires some care. Goldfish need room to grow and as such the bowls so commonly sold for them can be too small to keep a large fish. Its tank should be cleaned once a week. This fish does not need any specialized diet and can be fed on a basis of flakes but should occasionally be offered shrimp, lettuce or bloodworms.