What is the difference between the Goldfish (Carassius auratus) and the Koi Carp (Cyprinus rubrofuscus)?
The Goldfish has more colours and body, fin, and tail shapes than the Koi Carp.
The Goldfish does not have barbels (fleshy lobes) at the corner of its mouth, whereas the Koi Carp has barbels.
The Goldfish is smaller than the Koi Carp. The Goldfish grows to about 35 centimetres (14 inches), whereas the Koi Carp can grow to about 100 centimetres (39 inches) in length.
The Goldfish was originally from China, whereas the Koi Carp was originally from Japan.
The Goldfish varieties, such as the Common Goldfish, the Comet Goldfish, and the Shubunkin, have body shapes and colours that are similar to the Koi Carp when they are immature. The Goldfish and the Koi Carp can interbreed, but their offspring are sterile.
Photographer: Martina Nicolls
Martina Nicolls: SIMILAR BUT DIFFERENT IN THE ANIMAL KINGDOM