goldfish Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun small golden or orange-red freshwater fishes of Eurasia used as pond or aquarium fishes
    Carassius auratus.

WordNet

Gold"fish` noun
Definitions
  1. (Zoöl.) (a) A small domesticated cyprinoid fish (Carassius auratus); -- so named from its color. It is native of China, and is said to have been introduced into Europe in 1691. It is often kept as an ornament, in small ponds or glass globes. Many varieties are known. Called also golden fish, and golden carp. See Telescope fish, under Telescope. (b) A California marine fish of an orange or red color; the garibaldi.

Webster 1913