You may not realise it, but your goldfish has a rather exotic past. Perhaps bought as a simple pet or just something to look at, your goldfish was actually the first species of fish prized for its decorative looks.

As early as 970 AD, a red coloured goldfish known as the carp was developed in China for its attractive colour. By 1200 AD there were other popular varieties of this striking fish that spread from China to Japan.

Goldfish became very popular in Europe as people demanded different varieties and colours. Goldfish now come in several strange varieties including: the egg-shaped Veiltail, loved for its graceful fins; the slender-bodied Veil comet goldfish; the Eggfish with its long flowing fins; the slender and bright-coloured Skubunkin; the Lionhead goldfish with its distinct head growth; the googly-eyed Telescope goldfish, and the unusual looking Celestial with its upward facing eyes.

Most goldfish owners will have a fish that will live for few years, but individual goldfish have been known to live for up to 30 years in ideal conditions.

Goldfish are easy to keep because they don't need special heating or fancy filters. If you plan to have your fish outdoors in an area where the climate gets cold, the pond or tank must be deep for the fish to survive, and in hot summers their tank or pond should be over one metre deep.

Generally though, goldfish tend to be hardy pets and are relatively easy to maintain, which explains their popularity.

When it comes to naming your goldfish, though, it's difficult for non-fish experts to tell the sex of your fish, particularly when they are young. A female that is going to lay eggs sometimes develops a large abdomen, while the male will have a collection of "nuptual tubercles" on the head, and fins on the side of the body called pectoral fins.

If you want to breed your fish, well-cared for and healthy goldfish will breed with no help once a year. After the adult fish have laid and fertilised the eggs (spawned) you should put them in another tank because they may eat the young fish.

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