Common Goldfish vs Electric Eel
Carassius auratus compared with Electrophorus electricus
Taxonomy & Classification
| Attribute | Common Goldfish | Electric Eel |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Carassius auratus | Electrophorus electricus |
| Order | Cypriniformes | Gymnotiformes |
| Family | Cyprinidae | Gymnotidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Physical Traits
| Attribute | Common Goldfish | Electric Eel |
|---|---|---|
| Max Length | 45.0 cm | 250.0 cm |
| Max Weight | 2.0 kg | 20.0 kg |
| Color | Brilliant orange to deep golden-yellow body with a metallic sheen across all scales; domesticated forms range from white, yellow, and red to black and calico bicolor combinations. | Dark olive-gray to grayish-brown cylinder-shaped body with a pale yellowish-orange throat and chin; back uniformly dark; scaleless skin has a smooth appearance; long ribbon-like anal fin is pinkish. |
Habitat & Environment
| Attribute | Common Goldfish | Electric Eel |
|---|---|---|
| Water Type | Brackish | Freshwater |
| Depth Range | 0-20m | — |
| Geographic Range | Originates from rivers and lakes of eastern China and possibly Korea; domesticated for over 1,000 years. Wild relatives inhabit slow rivers, ponds, and slightly brackish … | Native to the Orinoco and Amazon river basins in Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname, and Brazil. Inhabits murky, oxygen-depleted floodplain pools, swamps, and slow-moving streams in lowland … |
| Habitat | Ponds, lakes, slow rivers across East Asia; introduced worldwide. Tolerates wide temperature range (10-30°C) and turbid water. Prefers shallow, vegetated areas with soft substrates. Domestic … | Estuaries |
Aquarium Suitability
| Attribute | Common Goldfish | Electric Eel |
|---|---|---|
| Min Tank Size | 150 L | — |
| Temperature | 10-24 | — |
| pH Range | 6.0-8.0 | — |
| Care Level | Easy | — |
| Temperament | Peaceful | — |
Fishing Information
| Attribute | Common Goldfish | Electric Eel |
|---|---|---|
| Game Fish | Yes | No |
| Fight Rating | — | — |
| World Record | — | — |
| Mercury Level | — | — |
Cuisine & Edibility
Common Goldfish
Not consumed — a classic ornamental aquarium and pond fish; its vivid color and hardy nature make it one of the world's most popular decorative species.
Electric Eel
Not consumed — an ornamental and scientific novelty species kept in specialized aquarium exhibits; edible in principle but extremely dangerous to handle due to powerful electric discharge.
Species Overview
Common Goldfish
The goldfish was one of the first fish to be domesticated, with selective breeding in China dating back over 1,000 years. Despite common misconceptions, goldfish can live 10-15 years with proper care and require far more space than a small bowl.
Electric Eel
Despite its name, the electric eel is not a true eel but a knifefish. It can generate electrical discharges of up to 860 volts to stun prey and defend itself. About 80% of its body is dedicated to three electric organs.