{"product_id":"comet-goldfish-carassius-auratus","title":"Comet Goldfish | Carassius auratus","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe Comet is a streamlined, long-finned single-tail goldfish that swims like a rocket and grows large, commonly reaching 25–30 cm with its flowing tail. Tough, inexpensive and long-lived, it is a superb pond fish and a hardy coldwater aquarium fish, provided it is given the space and filtration a big, messy goldfish demands.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eCarassius auratus is a domesticated fish descended from wild crucian-type carp of East Asia, and the Comet was developed in the United States as a fast, single-tailed pond variety. It has no true wild habitat, but its carp ancestry means it thrives in cool, well-oxygenated water with plenty of swimming room. Ponds and large aquariums with robust filtration suit it best.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eA slim, torpedo-shaped body with a single, deeply forked and often very long flowing tail that can make up much of its length. Colours range from classic metallic orange-red through yellow, white and the red-and-white Sarasa pattern. Unlike fancy goldfish it has a strong, streamlined build made for speed and endurance rather than rounded ornamental shapes.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eTemperament is peaceful but boisterous and very active. Comets are fast, greedy feeders that easily outcompete slow fancy goldfish, so they are best kept with other single-tailed goldfish such as commons and shubunkins, or with similarly hardy pondmates. Their pace and appetite can overwhelm delicate or slow tank mates, and their eventual size rules out small community tanks.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eAn omnivore with a big appetite. Feed a quality goldfish pellet or flake as the staple, supplemented with blanched vegetables, and occasional frozen foods such as bloodworm and daphnia. Avoid overfeeding, as goldfish produce a heavy waste load; feed small amounts and remove uneaten food. A varied, vegetable-rich diet supports good colour and digestion.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThis fish gets big and lives a long time, so plan for space from the start. Allow a minimum of around 100 L for a single fish, with much larger tanks or, ideally, a garden pond for a group. Keep temperature cool at 16–24 °C, pH 6.5–7.5 and GH neutral to hard. Powerful filtration, generous water changes and good oxygenation are essential to cope with its waste. It is peaceful but not reliably plant safe, as it will nibble and uproot soft plants.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eBreeding is straightforward in a well-conditioned pond. As water warms in spring, males chase females, who scatter sticky eggs over plants and spawning media. Eggs hatch in a few days and the fry grow quickly on infusoria and finely crushed foods. Adults will eat eggs and fry, so dense planting or a separate rearing area improves survival.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003ctable\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCarassius auratus\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eComet Goldfish\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDomesticated (developed in the USA); carp ancestry from East Asia\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAround 25–30 cm including tail\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e10–20 years with good care\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTemperament\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePeaceful (active, boisterous)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBeginner\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMinimum Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e100 L for one fish\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e200 L or larger, or a garden pond\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOmnivore: goldfish pellet\/flake, vegetables, occasional frozen foods\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater Temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e16–24 °C (coldwater)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003epH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e6.5–7.5\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNeutral to hard, around 8–20 dGH\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSalinity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable (freshwater)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSuitable For\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eColdwater aquariums and ponds\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlant Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNo (nibbles and uproots soft plants)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003c\/table\u003e \u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eSuitable tank mates include other single-tailed goldfish such as common goldfish and shubunkins, and other hardy coldwater pond fish of similar size and pace.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eAvoid keeping with slow fancy goldfish that cannot compete for food, with small fish that may be eaten, and with tropical species needing warm water. Avoid undersized tanks, as this fish grows large and produces a heavy waste load.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55232820609315,"sku":"AA2027","price":9.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm)","offer_id":55232820642083,"sku":"AA2027-M","price":14.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Large (10-15cm)","offer_id":55232820674851,"sku":"AA2027-L","price":19.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"X-Large (15-30cm)","offer_id":55351969382691,"sku":"AA2027-XL","price":24.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/comet-goldfish-10266493321507-sp.webp?v=1790313954","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/comet-goldfish-carassius-auratus","provider":"Nicks AOT","version":"1.0","type":"link"}