Superficially resembles the European or common carp. A small, plump, deep bodied fish which is moderately compressed. The head is blunt with moderately large eyes and a small toothless protrusable mouth. There are no barbels present. Scales are large with about thirty along the lateral line and there is a spine on the dorsal and anal fins. The dorsal fin is long based and high at front.

Goldfish show considerable colour variation in captivity. In the wild, however, they usually revert to their natural colour of light to dark olive green along the back with golden to bronze shades along the sides and belly; fins are translucent. Orange-red varieties often seen in aquariums are occasionally seen in wild populations

May grow to around 3 kg, but specimens of over 3 kg are rare in the wild in Tasmania

Native to Asia, but is now found world wide because of its use as an ornamental fish. Tasmanian populations are thought to be from the release of aquarium pets. Occasional individuals are found in streams and lakes and they are locally abundant in farm dams.

Widespread in farm dams