Comet Goldfish: Quick Facts, Behavior, Care, and More

Because they are easy to keep, attractive, and friendly with other fish, goldfish are a popular choice for aquariums. There are many options when you choose goldfish. You might be surprised to learn that there are more than 200 goldfish breeds available, each with a different appeal and charm.

The petite Comet Goldfish is a great choice if you’re looking to add goldfish to your aquarium, or if you want to start a new tank. Let’s find out more about this tiny swimmer.

Here are some quick facts about Comet Goldfish

Species Name:	Carassius auratus
Family:	Cyprinidae
Care Level	Simple
Temperature:	65deg-72deg Fahrenheit
Temperament:	Social
Color Form:	Yellow, orange, and white.
Lifespan:	5-14 Years
Size:	4-12 inches
Diet:	Omnivore
Minimum Tank Size:	50 gallons
Tank setup:	Freshwater
Compatibility:	Other fish that are too large to fit inside a Comet’s head and can withstand lower water temperatures

Comet Goldfish Overview

The Comet Goldfish, unlike its cousins, is a small fish that has a unique tailfin shape. They were named after a space comet because of their unique tail. They don’t grow as big as other animals, but they can reach approximately 12 inches.

Comet Goldfish are very easy to care for. They are easy to keep and look great swimming around. Pairing tank mates can cause problems since Comets prefer a cooler environment.

There is much fish that can work alongside the Comet. Comet Goldfish thrive in large ponds that allow them to explore space. They love to swim, despite being so small.

They are interactive and alert, making them fascinating to observe. If the living conditions are suitable, they will add personality to your aquarium or pond.

Let’s get to the point.

What is the Cost of Comet Goldfish?

Because of their size, Comet Goldfish are often used as feeder fish. Their price also reflects this. The majority of Comet Goldfish cost less than a dollar per fish, with some ranging between.20 and.50 cents.

While you can afford to keep a lot of Comet Goldfish in your tank, it is worth being careful not to pair them with larger fish. Larger fish may view Comets as prey and swallow them whole.

A Comet could also mistake existing thank creatures as snacks. Both ways are possible. It doesn’t matter if you have an existing fish that will accept them.

The Typical Behavior and Temperament

Comet Goldfish are social, active fish. Although they are small, they love to dart around the aquarium, sometimes going as fast as possible. A tank large enough to house their energy and big personalities is necessary.

They are very peaceful and neutral, despite their playful nature and speed. They can live together well with others, without showing aggression or territorial behavior.

They are able to recognize you and interact with you through the aquarium by following your finger or darting behind plants to play hide-seek. They can interact with both other animals and humans, most of the time.

They are temperamentally very compatible, but their living conditions make them incompatible with other fish.

Appearance and Varieties

Comet Goldfish are smaller than other varieties of goldfish and have a unique look. Although they have many similarities to their goldfish cousins in color and pattern, their overall body shape and fin shape are quite different.

• Single V-shaped Tailfin – The distinctive tail of the Comet Goldfish is how they got their name. This is their most distinctive feature.
• Wedge-Shaped Dorsal–The dorsal at the top is short and arches downwards on the spine.
• Slim Body – While many goldfish may have a slender body, the C has a slimmer, more streamlined body.

• Color Varieties – Comets come in solid-colored bodies that range from white to red. Color can fade in vibrant Comets with time or poor diet.
• Spotted Varieties: Some comets may have spots that are different colors.

How to Care for Comet Goldfish

Setup, Tank Conditions, and Habitat

• Aquarium/Tank Size – To house one Comet Goldfish, you will need at least a 50-gallon aquarium. For each additional fish, you will need to add between 10 and 12 gallons. A Comet will be at its best in 75-gallon tanks.
• The Comet loves to swim endlessly around a pond, in all honesty. The Comet is a hardy fish that can withstand colder water, which is an advantage to pond-dwelling.
• Water Temperature and pH – Keep the water cool. Water should be kept between 60 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit, with a pH range of 7.0 to 8.4.
• Substrat – There are several substrates you can choose from for your Comet. Sand is a natural material that encourages foraging and gives off a natural look. Although some claim that sand can irritate their gills and cause irritation, there isn’t any definitive evidence.
• Gravel is available in many colors and can anchor plants and decorations. However, it’s not always the best substrate. They can inhale smaller pieces of gravel as they eat from the bottom. This can lead to blockages in their digestive system.
• Plants – They are great for filtering the water in the tank. These plants are compatible with Comet Goldfish tanks:
  • Java fern
  • Java moss
  • Onion plant
  • Crypts
  • Amazon’s words
  • Duckweed
  • Pothos
  • Anubias

• Lighting – Comet Goldfish do not require heat lamps but they do require the right light cycles. Your aquarium should follow the natural day/night cycle. You should ensure that your aquarium has adequate darkness and light for at least 12 hours per day.
• Filtration – Comets must have highly oxygenated, filtered water. Otherwise, they could be at risk of illness and bacteria. These fish can be handled by a regular canister filter system, however, the water must be cycled several times daily to ensure freshness.

Are Comet Goldfish Good Tank Mates?

This is a tricky question, as Comets can be temperamentally excellent and are therefore compatible with many fish species. They prefer colder water than others, so sometimes living together is not possible.

Because of their small size, it is important to be careful about what other fish are in your aquarium. These tiny fish could mistake them for food. They can also mistake these tiny snails for food and will happily eat a small tank snail that is sluggishly moving around.

However, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t make friends with your comet buddies.

Comet Goldfish pairs well with:

• Rosy Barbs
• Weather Loaches
• Zebra Danios
• Bristlenose Plecos

How to feed your Comet Goldfish

Comet Goldfish will eat both fresh and processed fish food flakes. This can be used as a daily diet because the ingredients in the pellets and flakes contain all the nutrients your comet needs.

You should also ensure that your comet is fed a variety of fresh, cooked, and dehydrated foods. You can also feed them beneficial gut-filled insects such as earthworms and bloodworms. They will eat any kind of live food they see.

Many goldfish die from poor nutrition, improper diets, and/or excessive portion sizes. This can easily be prevented with proper education.

We recommend The Truth About Goldfish as a best-seller. It covers everything you need to know about goldfish nutrition, tank care, and illnesses. You can find it on Amazon.

They also like other fruits and vegetables

• Shelled peas
• Cucumber
• Broccoli
• Lettuce
• Carrots
• Blueberries
• Strawberries

Aquariums with live plants will attract fish that love to eat algae and plant matter.

Keeping Your Comet Goldfish Healthy

Little Comet Goldfish are tough fish that can stay healthy under the right conditions.

You can help your comet live the best possible life.

• Provide oxygenated, heavily filtered water sources
• Live plants provide food and oxygen
• A diet that is omnivorous, containing pellets, fresh, and live foods
• Only pair with compatible fish types
• Keep water temperatures at a comfortable level and keep the environment clean

Breeding

It’s not easy to breed the Comet Goldfish in a tank environment. For successful hatching, you need to have very specific environmental conditions. These goldfish will be more successful in ponds where the natural flow of nature is predominant.

If you do decide to set up a tank, Comets will need a trigger to begin breeding. This usually means a temperature drop of 58 degrees Fahrenheit and 8 hours of sunlight per month.

Healthy breeding requires that you provide them with a healthy diet. You should provide them with a variety of foods including frozen and live foods as well as standard flakes or pellets to ensure they have a balanced diet.

After the month is over, gradually raise the temperature to 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Slowly, as you could cause fish to die or be stunned. You can also increase the amount of light to 12 hours per day.

When the conditions are favorable, the males can encourage females to lay eggs. The females can lay as many as 1,000 eggs per day before the male fertilizes them. Both parents must be removed until the eggs hatch between 24 to 48 hours later.

Are Comet Goldfish suitable for your aquarium?

Comet Goldfish are great for keeping if you have fish that are compatible or if you are just starting your setup. These fish are active, and well-built, and can keep you busy with their quick pace and alert personalities.

Comet is not for everyone. They may not work in all aquariums and they might not be the right choice for everyone. Do your research to determine if they are compatible with your tank.