Carassius auratus (Linnaeus, 1758) [I]—Goldfish

Taxonomy. Original description: Cyprinus auratus Linnaeus, 1758: 322 [China; Japanese rivers; no types known].— Iraq synonyms: None.—Revisions: None.—Illustration: Guo (2021: 472, fig.),

Status in Iraq. First record from Iraq by Ali (1985).—Iraq materials: None.

Distribution and habitat. Distribution in Iraq: Tigris and Euphrates River basins.—General distribution: East Asia: China and Japan; introduced widely elsewhere; many cultivated goldfish varieties.—Habitat: This species inhabits rivers, lakes, reservoirs, ponds, and ditches with stagnant or slow-flowing water. It occurs in eutrophic fresh and brackish waters, well-vegetated ponds, and canals. Freshwater.

Economic importance. Valuable for the aquarium trade.

Reasons of introduction. Ornamental fish industry.

Conservation. Not relevant (introduced species).