* Wild vs. Domesticated: Goldfish are domesticated, meaning they primarily exist in human care. There are a few wild populations, but they are relatively small and isolated.
* No Central Registry: There is no global registry tracking the number of goldfish kept as pets.
* Vast Diversity: Goldfish are kept in homes, schools, businesses, and public aquariums, making it challenging to get an accurate count.
Instead of a specific number, we can discuss the scale of the goldfish population:
* Millions: Millions of goldfish are kept as pets worldwide, likely numbering in the hundreds of millions.
* Popularity: Goldfish are one of the most popular pet fish, making their population very significant.
In summary, while we can't know the exact number, it's safe to say that the population of goldfish is vast and continues to grow.