As an aquarist, you must wonder how your goldfish chews their food as their teeth are not visible to you. So, do your goldfish have teeth? Can they bite you with their teeth? Let us find out.
Goldfish have pharyngeal teeth located at the back of their throat in an area known as the pharynx. However, as goldfish are not predatory animals, their teeth are not designed to rip, tear and bite. The teeth help goldfish break down their food into small pieces before reaching their intestines.
The article below will discuss why your goldfish require teeth and whether your goldfish can bite you with their teeth.
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Goldfish teeth
Goldfish do have teeth that help them to crush and grind their food. However, as goldfish are not predatory animals, teeth are not designed to rip, tear and bite.
The teeth of your goldfish are specifically to break down the larger food in their mouth as they cannot swallow the whole.
As your fish does not have a stomach, they need to break down their food to grab adequate nutrition as it moves through their digestive tract.
Therefore the teeth of your goldfish are essential to their physiology and ensure the healthy life of your fish.
Why do goldfish need teeth?
Goldfish need teeth to crush and grind their food to absorb adequate nutrition as it moves through their digestive tract.
As goldfish lacks stomach, they need to break down their food into small pieces before it makes its way through their intestines.
Without teeth, it would not be possible for your goldfish to break down their food, making it a task for them to consume it.
Teeth help goldfish crush and grind the solid foods, veggie pellets, lettuce, and flakes that they usually get in captivity.
Where are goldfish teeth ?
Goldfish have pharyngeal teeth located at the back of their throat. As their teeth are so far back, it will not be possible for you to spot any of them.
The area where your goldfish teeth are located is known as the pharynx. The pharynx is a small part of your fish’s body that connects its mouth to its esophagus.
However, we do not advise you to dig around your goldfish’s mouth to spot their teeth as it can lead to stress in your fish.
Therefore the teeth of your goldfish are essential to their physiology and ensure the well-being of your fish.
Do goldfish have sharp teeth?
Goldfish teeth are not sharp, specifically designed for grinding and not to rip, tear, and bite.
So, you have no threat of your goldfish attacking you during feeding times, and even if you are physically exploring your goldfish’s mouth, you won’t lose your finger.
However, we advise you not to dig around your goldfish’s mouth to look for their teeth as it can lead to stress in your fish.
Also read: What To Do If My Goldfish Is Stressed?
Can goldfish bite?
You have no threat of your goldfish biting you as their teeth are specially for grinding and chewing their food and not making you a meal.
However, if you trouble your goldfish too much, it may try to bite you but will not be able to generate enough force that can lead to any physical injury to you.
We advise you not to trouble your goldfish to spot their teeth as it can lead to stress in your fish.
Therefore, excessive stress can further lead to the passing away of your goldfish.
Do goldfish lose their teeth?
Your goldfish loses their teeth as they grow and develop with time. However, your fish can lose and regrow their teeth very fast.
As the old teeth of your goldfish fall out, new teeth are developing right behind them and are all set to replace the old ones.
You can discover your goldfish’s old teeth at the bottom of the tank if you have a bare-bottomed aquarium.
As your goldfish are never left without teeth, it helps them grow and develop if placed under the right tank conditions and provided with good quality food as they never lose their ability to eat as they age.
Also read: What Do Goldfish Eat?
Conclusion:
- Goldfish do have teeth that help them to crush and grind their food.Â
- Your goldfish teeth are not designed to tear, rip and bite as they are not predatory animals.
- Your goldfish require teeth to break down their food into small pieces before reaching their intestines.
- Your goldfish have pharyngeal teeth located at the back of their throat.
- Your goldfish teeth are not sharp, making it safe for you as they cannot bite you with force, even if you are exploring into your fish’s mouth.
- As your goldfish are never left without teeth, it helps them grow and develop if placed under the right tank conditions and provided with good quality food.
Reference: NCBI