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Maybe this will shed some light on the subject. The exerpt here was written by Dr. David Ford.
Goldfish Origins
Goldfish are carp, one of the Cyprinid family, which includes many coldwater fishes. A cousin to goldfish are the larger and colourful koi, but these fish should be kept in ponds. Goldfish have originated from pond fish, too, kept as pets by fish farmers over 1000 years ago in China. This fish was Crucian carp, Carassius auratus, a wild species captured and farm-bred for eating. Natural mutations gave a golden variety and these were bred into ornamental forms as pet fish. These varieties are now classified as Carassius auratus var. auratus. To this day, the finest examples of exotic goldfishes are imported from China.
Exotic Goldfish
Over those 1000 years the goldfish has been bred into many forms and colours. The common goldfish remains the perfect fish shape, with its streamlined body and seven fins. Fancy goldfish have rounded bodies and long flowing fins. Colours range from jet-black to multi-coloured, even blue. Some have missing fins or split finnage, hoods on the head, bulbous eyes, upturned eyes, granular skin, and new varieties are always being bred.
The number of exotic forms is so numerous that societies devoted to goldfish keeping across the world have laid down standards for the accepted forms. Hence there are 'pedigree' goldfish. These fish are less hardy than the common goldfish and are unsuitable for pond life - nor do they thrive in the confines of a goldfish bowl. However, if housed in a full-size aquarium with a planted background, the aquascene can rival the beauty of any coral reef.
Some of the hooded varieties, such as lionheads, have baby-like faces that give the fish a really endearing look.
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