How long have goldfish been alive for?

Goldfish have been around for a very long time, but it depends on what you mean by "alive."

* As a species: Goldfish, as a species (Carassius auratus), have existed for millions of years, likely originating in East Asia.

* As the domesticated breed we know: The domesticated goldfish, with its distinctive colors and shapes, has been around for over 1,000 years. They were first selectively bred in China during the Tang dynasty (618-907 AD).

So, while the goldfish species has a long history, the goldfish we recognize today is relatively young.