Live bait fish

Farm-Raised Goldfish

Feeder, trotline and pool grades, sold by the pound from Lonoke, Arkansas, from $104.

Call 1-800-206-4666Ask the farm

Which goldfish grade fits the job?

The farm sells goldfish in three grades, and the count per pound tells you which one you are buying. Feeder runs about 1,500 to the pound at three quarters of an inch to 1 inch, the small fish bought in bulk to feed larger fish. Trotline runs 25 to 30 to the pound at 2 to 4½ inches. Pool runs 12 to 15 to the pound at 4½ to 7 inches, the biggest fish of the three.

Prices start at $104 on the store. All fish are graded by width, so length and counts are approximate. Order by the grade and the pound you need rather than by an exact head count.

What does the farm say about its goldfish?

In its species guide, Anderson Minnow Farm describes its goldfish as “the healthiest and most dependable Goldfish in the country.” That is the farm's own claim, made by the family that has raised fish in Lonoke since 1949.

Handling is part of how it backs that up. Fish are loaded with custom-made buckets and with forklifts fitted with digital scales on the forks, a setup the farm says substantially reduces stress on the fish during loading.

How should you hold them once the box arrives?

Have the tank ready before delivery. Use a well-aerated tank of fresh water, remove chlorine and chloramine from municipal water with a remover, and keep the tank in shade around the clock or in an air-conditioned building. The right tank volume depends on the water temperature, so a warm week calls for more room.

Goldfish ship overnight by FedEx on Mondays and Thursdays. Orders must reach the farm by 10:00 a.m. Central on the shipping day, and the number for overnight delivery details is 1-800-20-MINNO (1-800-206-4666). The farm guarantees its fish to arrive alive and healthy. If something is wrong, send photos by text, phone or email within 24 hours, and the farm offers a refund or account credit. It does not make exchanges.

Goldfish swimming in a clear holding tank

Goldfish swimming in a clear holding tank

Anderson Minnows, Lonoke. Call 1-800-206-4666.