Common Goldfish vs Wels Catfish
Carassius auratus compared with Silurus glanis
Taxonomy & Classification
| Attribute | Common Goldfish | Wels Catfish |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Carassius auratus | Silurus glanis |
| Order | Cypriniformes | Siluriformes |
| Family | Cyprinidae | Siluridae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Physical Traits
| Attribute | Common Goldfish | Wels Catfish |
|---|---|---|
| Max Length | 45.0 cm | 500.0 cm |
| Max Weight | 2.0 kg | 300.0 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-green to slate-gray back with irregular mottled marbling of darker blotches; flanks grade to olive-yellow; scaleless smooth skin; belly pale cream to yellowish-white; head broad and flat. |
Habitat & Environment
| Attribute | Common Goldfish | Wels Catfish |
|---|---|---|
| Water Type | Brackish | Brackish |
| Depth Range | 0-20m | 0-30m |
| 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 large river systems and lakes of central and eastern Europe from the Rhine basin east to the Caspian and Aral sea drainages. Introduced … |
| 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 … | Large rivers, lakes, and reservoirs across Europe and Asia (Volga, Danube, Rhine, Ob). Inhabits deep, slow-moving freshwater with soft substrates. Tolerates turbid water (15-25°C). Highly … |
Aquarium Suitability
| Attribute | Common Goldfish | Wels Catfish |
|---|---|---|
| Min Tank Size | 150 L | — |
| Temperature | 10-24 | — |
| pH Range | 6.0-8.0 | — |
| Care Level | Easy | — |
| Temperament | Peaceful | — |
Fishing Information
| Attribute | Common Goldfish | Wels Catfish |
|---|---|---|
| Game Fish | Yes | Yes |
| Fight Rating | — | 9/10 |
| 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.
Wels Catfish
Fatty, soft flesh with a mild, slightly sweet flavor; quality improves from cold, clean water fish. Popular in Central European cuisines — commonly smoked, fried, or braised with vegetables.
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.
Wels Catfish
The wels catfish is the largest freshwater fish in Europe, capable of exceeding 5 meters. Found in large rivers and lakes across the continent, it has been documented beaching itself to catch pigeons. It can live over 80 years.