carassius auratus

2 definitions found

carassius auratus - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Goldfish \Gold"fish`\, n. (Zool.)
     (a) A small domesticated cyprinoid fish (Carassius   auratus
         ); -- so named from its color. It is a 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.
         [1913 Webster]

carassius auratus - WordNet (r) 2.1 (2005) :

  Carassius auratus
      n 1: small golden or orange-red freshwater fishes of Eurasia
           used as pond or aquarium fishes [syn: goldfish,
           Carassius auratus]