David Stef anski, age 11, of Independence, Ohio, for his question:

How long do goldfish live?

Goldfish are glamorous members of the grubby carp family. The rather sluggish carp have a reputation for living a very long time. Some people claim that their life spans are longer than those of any other fishes, though nobody knows this for sure. At any rate, since goldfish qualify as true carp, we can expect them to live to a ripe old age. Barring accidents and neglect, they do, indeed, outlive most other fishes of their size.

The ordinary goldfish that live in outdoor ponds, more or less in the wild state, often live 15 years or more. The average goldfish in the average home aquarium has a life expectancy of only about five years. Dedicated hobbyists, however, treasure about 20 fancy goldfish strains. One of their favorites is the handsome golden carp. This durable creature has been known to live more than 50 years. As a rule, he enjoys his long life in the freedom of a well tended outdoor pool, where everything is arranged for his good health and personal convenience.