Yes! Goldfish do have teeth. However, instead of being on their gums, like human teeth, goldfish have teeth right at the back of their throats.
This means that, if you’re hoping to see them, you may be disappointed. Because the teeth are so far back, you won’t be able to spot any, no matter how hard you look.
The photo below shows what goldfish teeth look like and where they are located.
Your best chance of seeing a set of goldfish gnashers in real life is actually after they have fallen out…
Key Takeaways:
- Goldfish Have Teeth: Goldfish do indeed have teeth, but they are located at the back of their throats, not in the front of their mouths like human teeth. This makes them difficult to see.
- Goldfish Teeth Are Not Sharp: Goldfish teeth are flat and used to crush and grind food, similar to human molars. They cannot bite people or pose a danger to humans.
- Goldfish Continuously Lose and Grow Teeth: Goldfish regularly lose and regrow their teeth throughout their lives. You may even find old teeth at the bottom of their tank if the aquarium has a bare bottom.
- Goldfish Teeth Are Not Visible During Normal Activities: While it’s unlikely you’ll see your goldfish’s teeth unless they fall out, you might notice old teeth at the bottom of the tank, especially if you’re watching at the right time.
- Other Fish Have Teeth Too: Most fish species have teeth, but their structure, shape, and location vary. Some fish, like sharks and piranhas, have sharp teeth, while others, like sheephead fish, have teeth similar to human molars.
Do goldfish lose their teeth?
Goldfish continuously lose and re-grow their teeth throughout their lives. As old teeth fall out, new teeth are growing behind them, ready to replace the old ones.
If you have a bare-bottomed aquarium then you may spot your goldfish’s old teeth on the bottom of your tank (here’s a video of goldfish teeth that someone collected from their goldfish). If you happen to be watching your fish at the right time then you may even see them spit out an old tooth!
Can goldfish bite?
People are often surprised to hear that goldies have teeth. It may even make you a bit worried that your fish might bite your finger next time you try to feed them.
But there’s no need to worry. Goldfish teeth aren’t sharp and they can’t bite people. They’re actually very flat – a bit like human molars – and are used to crush and grind food.
Do other types of fish have teeth?
You might be surprised to learn than all fish actually have teeth of some description.
However, not all fish teeth are the same. They vary in shape, size, sharpness, and location within the fish’s mouth.
As you probably know, shark teeth are sharp to cut through the flesh of their prey.
And you’re probably familiar with the sight of small pointy piranha teeth:
But did you know about the Sheephead fish, which has these human-like teeth spread all over its mouth?
Now that you’ve seen these, you’re probably glad that goldies only have small, flat teeth, right at the back of their mouths!
FAQs:
- Do goldfish have teeth?
- Yes, goldfish do have teeth, but they are located at the back of their throat and are not visible during regular activities.
- Can goldfish bite people?
- No, goldfish cannot bite people. Their teeth are flat, like molars, and are used to crush food, not bite.
- Do goldfish lose their teeth?
- Yes, goldfish continuously lose and regrow their teeth throughout their lives. You may spot old teeth in your tank if it has a bare bottom.
- What do goldfish use their teeth for?
- Goldfish use their teeth to crush and grind their food. Their teeth are flat and molar-like, not sharp like those of carnivorous fish.
- What happens to goldfish teeth when they fall out?
- Goldfish’s old teeth will fall out and may be found at the bottom of the tank. New teeth are constantly growing behind the old ones.
- Do other types of fish have teeth?
- Yes, all fish have teeth, but the type, shape, and location vary greatly. For example, sharks and piranhas have sharp teeth, while sheephead fish have human-like molars.
- Are goldfish teeth dangerous?
- No, goldfish teeth are not dangerous to humans. They are flat and used for grinding food, making them harmless.
Can goldfish kill other fish species in same bowl are they mean
Goldfish aren’t normally aggressive, but they can nip/fight other fish sometimes. They often do this when water quality is poor, there’s not enough space, or there is competition for food. However, the most important point is that a bowl isn’t suitable for even one goldfish. You therefore shouldn’t keep goldfish in a bowl with other fish or even on their own.