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Fish in the family Cyprinidae are commonly referred to as carp or minnows, with regional preferences varying; for example, 'minnow' is more common in North America, whereas 'carp' is often used in Europe. Other familiar names for various species in this family include chub, shiner, barb, and barbel.
Yes, a goldfish (Carassius auratus) is a member of the Cyprinidae family. Goldfish are closely related to carp and are one of the best-known cyprinid species, especially popular as ornamental freshwater fish.
Cyprinid fish are primarily freshwater species distinguished by the absence of teeth in their jaws, instead possessing pharyngeal teeth located in the throat used for grinding food. They have a protractile upper jaw that can extend forward, lack scales on their heads, and have pelvic fins positioned on the belly. Their gas bladder is divided into chambers to assist with buoyancy. Cyprinids range greatly in size from just over 1 centimetre to as large as 3 metres in the case of the giant barb.
The term 'cyprinid' denotes fish belonging to the family Cyprinidae, which originates from the Greek word 'kyprinos,' meaning 'carp'. This family is the largest group of freshwater fishes worldwide, comprising over 2,000 species including carps, minnows, goldfish, and related species.
