People began to selectively breed the gold variety instead of the silver variety, keeping them in ponds or other bodies of water. A natural genetic mutation produced gold (actually yellowish orange) rather than silver coloration.

Дuring the Tang dynasty (AD 618вЂ“907), it was popular to raise carp in ornamental ponds and water gardens. Some of these normally gray or silver species have a tendency to produce red, orange or yellow color mutations this was first recorded in imperial China, during the Jin dynasty (266вЂ“420). Various species of carp (collectively known as Asian carp) have been bred and reared as food fish for thousands of years in East Asia. Ryukin goldfish, Plate XIX in Goldfish and Their Culture in Japan, by Shinnosuke Matsubara Goldfish breeds vary greatly in size, body shape, fin configuration, and coloration (various combinations of white, yellow, orange, red, brown, and black are known).

It was first selectively bred for color in imperial China more than 1,000 years ago, and several distinct breeds have since been developed. Native to East Asia, the goldfish is a relatively small member of the carp family (which also includes the Prussian carp and the crucian carp). Goldfish released into the wild have become an invasive pest in parts of North America. It is commonly kept as a pet in indoor aquariums, and is one of the most popular aquarium fish. The goldfish ( Carassius auratus) is a freshwater fish in the family Cyprinidae of order Cypriniformes.

Neocarassius ventricosus Castelnau, 1872.

Carassius grandoculis Temminck & Schlegel, 1846.

Carassius burgeri Temminck & Schlegel, 1846.

Live rare telescope goldfish