• Question: where do goldfish come from?

    Asked by charlotte123 to Clare, Dave, Glo, Ozge, Sean on 21 Jun 2011.
    • Photo: Sean Clement

      Sean Clement answered on 21 Jun 2011:

      From an egg! (seriously) They’re very small eggs, from which very small fish (known as fry) emerge. Many fish lay thousands upon thousands of eggs (some even millions) because many will not survive to adulthood. Laying so many ensures that at least one will hopefully survive, thus allowing the genetic lineage of a species to carry on!

    • Photo: Gloeta Massie

      Gloeta Massie answered on 21 Jun 2011:

      I loved Sean’s answer. Taking it back a bit further – goldfish are descended from a long-line of bony fish. Ancient fish split into two lines – bony (like goldfish) and cartilaginous (like sharks). Our (human) ancient ancestor came from the bony fish lineage as well – so – in a way – we’re related to goldfish!

    • Photo: Clare Woulds

      Clare Woulds answered on 21 Jun 2011:

      OK, you two have that one covered!

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