TankBud

Variety of Goldfish

Comet

Carassius auratus

One of 12 varieties of Carassius auratus · See all varieties →

Also known as Comet-tailed goldfish, Sarasa comet

FreshwaterFish

Comet (Carassius auratus)
Oldhag · Public domain

Varieties · Carassius auratus

See all 12 →

Care at a glance

Temperature
39–75°F
4–24°C
pH
6.5–8.0
Adult size
11.8 in
30 cm
Minimum tank
50 gal
190 L
Temperament
Peaceful
Social behavior
Social
Tankmates
With caution
Swim level
Middle
Difficulty
Easy
Breeding
Medium
Rarity
Very common
Family
Cyprinidae
Origin
A hardy single tailed pond goldfish developed in the United States from common goldfish, a domesticated form of Carassius auratus native to East Asian freshwater.

Overview

Comets grow large and fast, so give them a pond or a tank of at least 190 L, adding much more per fish. They thrive from 4 to 24 C at a pH of 6.5 to 8.0 and need strong filtration for their heavy waste. Keep them with other single tailed goldfish, never with slow fancies. Feed a good goldfish pellet along with vegetables and occasional live or frozen treats.

In the wild

The comet is a slim, single tailed goldfish with a long, deeply forked tail that was developed in the United States. It is fast, active and very hardy, and grows to around 30 cm, so it belongs in a pond or a large tank. Like the common goldfish it tolerates a wide temperature range and can overwinter in an outdoor pond. The popular red and white form is sold as the sarasa comet.

Good to know

The comet was bred in the United States in the 1880s from common goldfish, selected for a longer, flowing single tail. It is the same species as all other goldfish, Carassius auratus, and keeps the wild body's strength and cold tolerance. It is a prolific egg scatterer that spawns readily in ponds each spring.

Did you know

Comet goldfish given pond space and years of growth routinely reach 25 to 30 cm, far larger than the fish most people picture from a fair prize bowl.

Common questions

Is a Comet a different species from the Goldfish?

No. A Comet is a variety of the Goldfish, Carassius auratus. It is kept the same way apart from difficulty, adult size, tank size and temperature.

What size tank does a Comet need?

A Comet needs at least 50 gal (190 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.

How big does a Comet get?

An adult Comet reaches about 11.8 in (30 cm).

Related species