F i s h e s o F t h e M u r r ay- Da r l i n g B a s i n120120 F i s h e s o F t h e M u r r ay- Da r l i n g B a s i n

identificationA small, deep-bodied fish with a forked tail and a small, protrusible mouth that does not reach back to below the eye. Maximum size 400 mm; usually less than 200 mm. Easily distinguished from Carp by the absence of barbels around the mouth. Like Carp, it has 3–4 stout spines at the front of the dorsal fin, the largest one serrated on the trailing edge. The back is usually olive-bronze to golden, paling to silvery-white on the belly. Occasionally, the classic aquarium colour of orange-red is seen in wild specimens, as is the fan-tail. Individuals can be quite rotund when large, particularly females. Males have fine nuptial tubercles on the body, fins and opercula.

Biology and habitatThe Goldfish is usually associated with warm, slow-flowing lowland rivers or lakes, although it is also known from weedbeds and slower-flowing areas of upland rivers. It is often found in association with submerged or emergent freshwater plants

such as Ribbon-weed (Vallisneria), Bullrush (Typha) and Common reed (Phragmites). Individuals generally mature at 100–150 mm length, although they can be mature at 30–50 mm, and spawn during summer at water temperatures of 17–23°C. Eggs are laid amongst freshwater plants and hatch in about one week.

The Goldfish is not known to migrate. Its diet includes small crustaceans, freshwater insect larvae, plant material and detritus. It is often heavily infested with the parasitic copepod Anchorworm (Lernaea sp.).

impacts on native FishA consignment of Goldfish from Japan to Victoria is believed to be responsible for introducing to Australia the disease ‘Goldfish ulcer’, which also affects salmonid species such as trout. Apart from the introduction of this disease, the species is generally regarded as a ‘benign’ introduction to Australia and New Zealand, with few or no adverse impacts documented.

Common name goldfish (common carp)

scientific name Carassius auratus Linnaeus, 1758

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Distribution and abundanceGoldfish are native to eastern Asia and were first introduced into Australia in the 1860s when they were imported as an ornamental fish. Widespread in the Murray-Darling Basin, they are often present in substantial numbers in the early years following construction of impoundments. Their abundance in such lakes usually declines after the stocking of predatory species such as Murray cod, Golden perch and trout, which consume large numbers of Goldfish.

general referencesAllen et al. 2002; Brumley 1996; Clements 1988; Lintermans & Osborne 2002; Merrick & Schmida 1984; Moffat & Voller 2002.

iD VALLey 1 Avoca 2 Border rivers 3 Broken 4 campaspe 5 castlereagh 6 central Murray 7 condamine 8 darling 9 goulburn 10 gwydir 11 Kiewa 12 Lachlan 13 Loddon 14 Lower Murray 15 Macquarie 16 Mitta Mitta 17 Murrumbidgee 18 namoi 19 ovens 20 Paroo 21 upper Murray 22 Warrego 23 Wimmera

Published by the Murray-Darling Basin Commission Postal address: GPO Box 409, Canberra ACT 2601 Office location: Level 3, 51 Allara Street, Canberra City ACT Telephone: (02) 6279 0100, international + 61 2 6279 0100 Facsimile: (02) 6248 8053, international + 61 2 6248 8053 Email: info@mdbc.gov.au Internet: http://www.mdbc.gov.au

For further information contact the Murray-Darling Basin Commission office on (02) 6279 0100

This fish fact sheet is an extract derived from the report: Lintermans, M. 2007, Fishes of the Murray-Darling Basin: An introductory guide.

MDBC Publication No. 10/07

ISBN 1 921257 20 2

© Murray-Darling Basin Commission 2007

This work is copyright. Graphical and textual information in the work (with the exception of photographs, artwork and the MDBC logo) may be stored, retrieved and reproduced in whole or in part provided the information is not sold or used for commercial benefit and its source (Fishes of the Murray-Darling Basin) is acknowledged. Such reproduction includes fair dealing for the purpose of private study, research, criticism or review as permitted under the Copyright Act 1968. Reproduction for other purposes is prohibited without the permission of the Murray-Darling Basin Commission or the individual photographers and artists with whom copyright applies.

To extent permitted by law, the copyright holders (including its employees and consultants) exclude all liability to any person for any consequences, including but not limited to all losses, damages, costs, expenses and any other compensation, arising directly or indirectly from using this report (in part or whole) and any information or material contained in it.

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