Gold fish are the most popular fish sold in the whole world is found in most aquarium stores, where you can get some of the 125 varieties currently recognized.

The gold fish are descendants of crucial carp (Carassius carassius) living in East Asia, fish and brown elongated, lanky look like common gold fish. It was through many mutations and selective breeding that originated gold fish varieties we know today. The first to breed these beautiful fish and play the Chinese were more than a thousand years. At that time the gold fish were for members of royalty, who kept them in large ceramic vessels and later in glass tanks. Years and then introduced into the ponds surrounding the royal gardens, which facilitated their reproduction.

It was in the twelfth century when it developed a more selective breeding, giving rise to the varieties we see today: gold fish of different colors, eyes, fins and body shape. By then, the popularity of gold fish crosses borders. The Japanese immediately fall in love with these domestic fish, gold fish breeding emerging in Koriyana. This place has been operating for over 500 years and the fish are very popular around the world. It was precisely the Japanese who developed other varieties include Shubunkin, Ryukin, Demekin, Tosakin, Jikin, and Hamanishiki Wakin.

In the eighteenth century, strengthen commercial ties between England, Portugal, Holland and France. The gold fish becomes a “fashion statement” and an ideal gift. In the late nineteenth century, the gold fish come to the United States that becomes very popular. In this country will develop the only 100% American gold fish: the comet. Today breeders from various countries seeking to create new varieties, which take time to be recognized by many gold fish Societies around the world, these being responsible for dictating the parameters that qualify the quality of the fish.

HISTORY IN CHINA

As read above, the gold fish originated in China. It is difficult to establish the date on which it was domesticated, because many Chinese writings make no distinction between history and fiction (legends). There are valuable publications that tell the history and domestication of gold fish in considerable detail. Notable writings of Chen (1925 and 1956), Matsui (1934 and 1972) Hervey & Hems (1948) and Hervey (1950). Through these writings and many others, has been possible to establish a chronology of events from domestication to modern times. You can also set dates in the evolution of gold fish. In many cases, the events occurred and were recorded long after, resulting in that the dates are not quite accurate. Similarly gold fish varieties may have originated in remote rural areas, escaping the attention of the Chinese empire for decades, if not centuries. The events in areas near the cultural and political sources probably were recorded more quickly.

The process during which the domesticated gold fish was slow and gradual. Interest are reports on the “red fish seen in the wild” outside the Tsin Dynasty (265 to 419 years AD) and Tang Dynasty (AD 618 to 906 years) These fish could have gold fish, although it is not possible to secure with certainly. Historical evidence places the domestication of the gold fish during the Sung Dynasty. According to historian Chen (1956) there were ponds near Buddhist temples known as “ponds of mercy.” Fish sanctuaries were protected by the monks. There is a chance to introduce an interesting variety with unusual coloration, resulting in the initiation of the selection of fish for color variations. After all, the monks and temple visitors would notice the presence of fish more color than those with a wild color (coffee brown). Over time, the population of the ponds have to reach uniform bright colors.

At this stage the gold fish went from being a semi-domestic fish, a fish completely domestic. Historians now place the appearance of the Common gold fish .

The Sung Dynasty remained in power for three centuries. gold fish have long adorned the palaces of the nobles, who kept them in ponds. At the end of the dynasty’s prosperity increased trade and peace that existed in the region. The ponds became a popular element in Chinese architecture because of the calming effect of water and the movement of water caused by fish. At this point the gold fish foray into the home.

Before the end of the Sung Dynasty, the Mongols invaded China and formed the Yuan Dynasty, which lasted a very short, giving way to the Ming Dynasty. This dynasty is famous for its porcelain, decorative artifacts produced in this period are extremely valuable in today’s world, trading at exorbitant prices. Shortly after passing the gold fish decorate containers, plates, vases and other objects made by artisans.

A middle and end of this dynasty, the gold fish has become even more accessible to the general population, because he was kept in large ceramic containers in the shape of tanks ball. It is here that the gold fish pond passes the “aquarium” and when something fundamental: a large number of mutations that led to many of the varieties we know today.

To live in aquariums, mutations that reduced their movements and visual ability were no longer a disadvantage. The double caudal fin, the absence of dorsal fin and changes in the eyeball emerged in this period. It is also easier to play these new varieties in small aquaria in large ponds, allowing for better control in the breeding of gold fish.

A Ming Dynasty Qing Dynasty followed. During this period, the selection of the offspring becomes more advanced, improving existing varieties. There are new colors: black and blue, as well as growth in Oranda’s head and lion’s head. Celestial also arise, Pompon, Bubble Eyes Pearl and Flake. Half of this dynasty was beginning to cross the existing varieties, giving rise to new varieties.

Gold fish have in terms of installation, maintenance and care requirements other than tropical fish.

It is recommended over a large aquarium of 100 liters, decorated with gravel and small stones. The Gold fish are slow swimmers and are often damaged by stones if they have some shear zone. The water should be well aerated by a fine bubble diffuser and filter because the fish love to dig deep and remove all the sediment that is deposited there.

Planting the aquarium should not prevent the fish to swim with ease, and should be comprised of resistant species of hard leaves, given the inclination that these fish are nibbling vegetation.

The ideal temperature should be between 15 and 22 C. Beyond these limits the fish may suffer stress, and become predisposed to disease.

The Gold fish are much more fragile than other fish varieties, given the care required: high levels of oxygen and a balanced diet that combines both plant and animal nutrients.

The ten golden rules for the care of Gold fish:

Do not feed more. Give them what they can eat in 2 minutes.

Do not keep them in tight spaces. At least 35 liters per fish when they are of medium size.

Do not overpopulate the tank. See above.

Monitor the water parameters.

Do not buy a fish if we are unwilling to care for their special needs.

Providing live food fish from time to time.

Seek help when necessary.

Water changes 20% once a week.

Do not keep Gold fish with tropical fish.

To buy commercial food, should this be special for Gold fish, not tropical fish.