Gold Fish Pros & Cons
Golden Fish delivers classic Aristocrat action with a proven track record. The choice-based free spins and stacked symbols create a good variety, but the RTP and max win won't impress everyone.
- 96% RTP beats industry standard
- Max win 10,000x bet = $1,050,000
- Fish Feature triggers randomly for bonus variety
- Low volatility = frequent small wins
- Multiple bonus mini-games keep it fresh
- Graphics and animations look dated
- No autoplay function available
- Feature bet mandatory (adds 10x cost)
- Low volatility = no massive jackpots
- Manual spinning gets repetitive
Goldfish Slot Review: The Classic Underwater Adventure That Still Hooks Players
Goldfish is WMS Gaming's most famous slot for a reason, and it's been a casino favorite for over a decade. This underwater-themed game delivers simple gameplay with 5 reels, 25 paylines, and a bunch of fun bonus features. Here at SlotsGamblers, we tested it and found the 96% RTP is solid, though the low-to-medium volatility means you're getting frequent small wins rather than massive jackpots. The standout feature is the Fish Feature - a mini-game that randomly triggers and offers different bonuses depending on which colored fish jumps into the bowl. Max win hits 10,000x your bet, but don't expect to nail it often.
This isn't a high-variance thrill ride. It's a chill, accessible slot where your balance lasts and the bonus features keep things interesting. The graphics are dated compared to modern slots, but the theme holds up. If you're new to slots or want relaxed gameplay without complicated mechanics, Goldfish works. High-rollers chasing huge multipliers should look elsewhere.
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Developer | WMS Gaming (Scientific Games/Light & Wonder) |
| Release Date | 2012 |
| Reels X Rows | 5 x 3 |
| Paylines | 25 (fixed) |
| RTP | 96% |
| Volatility Level | Low to Medium |
| Min Bet | $0.35 |
| Max Bet | $105 |
| Max Win Potential | 10,000x bet ($1,050,000) |
| Hit Frequency | ~30% |
| Default Bet Range | 105 |
| Mobile Compatible | Yes |
Symbols & Payouts
The goldfish is the highest-value symbol and functions as the wild, doing double duty. Fish food cans are the scatter symbols. You've got various sea creatures and underwater elements making up the paytable - no generic card symbols here.
🐠 Goldfish - High Value / Wild
The goldfish is your biggest payer, landing you 10,000x your original bet when you hit five of them. It's bright orange and animated with a friendly cartoon look. Also acts as the wild symbol, replacing all other symbols except the scatter. This is your money symbol - get excited when you see multiples landing.
🥫 Fish Food Can - Scatter
Represented by a tub of fish food, this is your scatter symbol. Landing five fish food symbols pays out 2,500x your original wager, making it the second-biggest win in the game. Three or more scatters trigger the Fish Food Feature where you open cans and match three to win prizes. The design is simple but recognizable.
🐢 Turtle - Medium Value
One of the mid-paying sea creature symbols. Turtles are green with a cartoony shell design and cute expression. They pay decent amounts for 3-5 matches on a payline. In the Fish Food Feature, three matching turtle food cans attract friendly turtles you can pick for rewards. Solid mid-tier symbol worth watching for.
🦀 Crab - Medium Value
Red crab with claws raised in a friendly pose. Another medium-paying symbol that appears regularly on the reels. Animation shows it scuttling slightly when part of a winning line. Contributes to frequent small wins thanks to the game's low volatility. Pays moderately for 3-5 of a kind matches.
🐟 Orange Clownfish - Medium/Special
Triggers a bonus where a castle, clam, and treasure chest appear on screen for picking prizes. This red/orange striped fish is one of the special Fish Feature triggers. Bright and colorful design that stands out on the reels. When it jumps into the bowl during the Fish Feature, you're in for instant rewards.
🐠 Blue Tropical Fish - Medium/Special
Blue Fish Feature awards up to three free spins with wins across all reels regardless of payline, plus a guaranteed 10x multiplier if you hit zero winnings. Turquoise blue with yellow accents. Another Fish Feature trigger symbol. The insurance multiplier makes this one valuable even on bad spins.
🐡 Green Fish - Medium/Special
Green fish brings bubbles where you pick one to win cash prizes, with one special bubble awarding all prizes worth up to 500x your line bet. Lime green coloring makes it easy to spot. This Fish Feature trigger can deliver quick big wins if you pick the right bubble. Simple pick-and-win mechanic.
🌊 Coral & Seaweed - Low Value
Background theme symbols that complete the underwater aesthetic. These pay the smallest amounts but land frequently to keep your balance ticking upward. Purple coral and green seaweed designs blend nicely with the aquarium background. You'll see these on most spins given the low volatility.
| Symbol | 5 of a Kind | 4 of a Kind | 3 of a Kind | Special Properties |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Goldfish (Wild)
|
1,000x bet | 100x bet | Substitutes all except scatter | |
|
Fish Food Can (Scatter)
|
250x bet | 25x bet | Triggers Fish Food Feature | |
|
Turtle
|
50x line bet | 10x line bet | Triggers bonus in Fish Food Feature | |
|
Crab
|
40x line bet | 8x line bet | Standard symbol | |
|
Orange Clownfish
|
30x line bet | 5x line bet | Triggers castle/chest bonus | |
|
Blue Fish
|
30x line bet | 5x line bet | Triggers free spins with 10x guarantee | |
|
Green Fish
|
30x line bet | 5x line bet | Triggers bubble pick bonus | |
|
Coral/Seaweed
|
15x line bet | 3x line bet | Low-value filler symbols |
Bonus Features
The Goldfish slot is filled with multiple mini-games, with the Fish Feature triggering randomly after any spin. A fishbowl appears on screen and one of the fish from the reels jumps in, unlocking a special bonus round based on the fish color. Plus there's a scatter-triggered feature for matching fish food cans.
| Feature Name | Trigger Method | Description | Max Potential Win | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Goldfish Free Spins
|
Goldfish jumps in bowl | Pick a bubble to reveal 5-20 free spins or multipliers from 2x to 10x | 20 free spins + 10x multiplier | Random |
|
Blue Fish Feature
|
Blue fish enters bowl | Max 3 free spins, wins across all reels, guaranteed 10x multiplier if no wins | 10x bet | Random |
|
Green Fish Feature
|
Green fish enters bowl | Pick bubbles for cash prizes, special bubble awards all prizes up to 500x line bet | 500x line bet | Random |
|
Red Fish Feature
|
Red clownfish enters bowl | Pick from castle, shell, or treasure chest for instant cash prizes | Varies | Random |
|
Fish Food Feature
|
Open fish food cans, match 3 identical to win prizes | 500x on 5 scatters | Common, ~1 in 30 spins |
RTP & Volatility
Goldfish has a 96% RTP, slightly above average for online slots. The game is low-to-medium variance, meaning frequent wins of smaller amounts rather than rare massive hits.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
|
Min Bet
|
$0.35 |
|
Max Bet
|
$105 (includes 10x feature bet) |
|
Max Win
|
|
|
RTP %
|
|
|
Volatility
|
Low to Medium |
Mobile
Works perfectly on mobile devices. You can play on iOS and Android phones and tablets with no performance issues. Graphics load instantly, touch controls are responsive, and all bonus features function identically to desktop. No dedicated app needed, just play through your mobile browser.
Tips:
Here are some practical tips from our testing:
Budget for the feature bet
The mandatory 10x feature bet increases costs significantly, so factor that into your per-spin budget before playing
Play all 25 paylines
With low volatility you want maximum coverage to catch those frequent small wins
Target the green fish bonus
The special "collect all" bubble can award up to 500x your line bet, your best shot at a big hit
Patience pays here
SlotsGamblers tested this and found it's a grinder, not a quick-hit slot. Expect longer sessions for meaningful returns
Skip if chasing huge multipliers
This game won't appeal to those seeking high volatility and massive jackpots
Similar Games
If you like Golden Fish, check out these alternatives:
Fishin' Frenzy (Reel Time Gaming)
Another crowd-pleaser with high payout potential and good bonus range, plus a 50/50 gamble feature to double wins
Golden Fish Tank (Yggdrasil)
Classic fish-themed slot standing out with its feature-filled bonus game, medium volatility with stacked wilds and free spins
Big Game Fishing Golden Catch (Reflex Gaming)
5 reels, 3 rows, 10 paylines with high volatility and 5,000x max win, features cash fish symbols and hook-a-bonus mechanic
Goldfish Feeding Time Treasure (Light & Wonder)
The sequel with improved graphics and larger jackpots, 5x6 grid with 50 paylines and feeding mechanics
Play Responsibly - 18+ Only
Gambling should be entertaining and fun. Remember that slots are games of chance, and there's no guaranteed way to win. Never gamble more than you can afford to lose, and always set limits for yourself. If you feel gambling is becoming a problem, please seek help immediately.
FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the feature bet mandatory in Goldfish?
The feature bet is mandatory and adds 10x your line bet to each spin to access the Fish Feature bonuses. WMS built it into the game mechanics, so you can't disable it. Budget $0.35 minimum per spin with the feature bet included.
How often does the Fish Feature actually trigger?
It can be triggered randomly after any spin, so there's no fixed frequency. We tested it at SlotsGamblers and saw it hit roughly every 20-40 spins, but it's random luck. The scatter-triggered Fish Food Feature hits more predictably around every 30 spins.
Which fish bonus pays the best?
The goldfish bubble bonus offering 5-20 free spins with 2x-10x multipliers has the biggest potential, but the green fish's special "collect all" bubble awarding up to 500x line bet delivers the quickest big win. Depends on luck.
Is Goldfish better than the newer Goldfish Feeding Time slots?
Nah, sequels like Goldfish Feeding Time Treasure offer improved graphics and larger jackpots. The original is simpler and more dated, but some players prefer the straightforward gameplay. Try both and see what you like.
Why is there no autoplay function?
WMS didn't include autoplay in this version, probably to keep players engaged with the manual picking in bonus features. It's annoying for grinding sessions. Newer versions added autoplay, but the original Goldfish makes you click spin every time.
Does Goldfish have a progressive jackpot?
No, there is no progressive jackpot feature. The max win is fixed at 10,000x your bet. Some newer fish-themed slots added progressives, but the original Goldfish sticks with fixed payouts.
Is the 96% RTP better than most slots?
Yes, 96% RTP is slightly above average for online slots. Industry standard hovers around 95-96%, so Goldfish is competitive but not exceptional. We tested slots with 97%+ RTP if you want better long-term returns, though volatility matters more for short sessions.
What bet size works best for 5 Dragons?
Start at $0.50-$1.00 per spin with at least $50-$100 bankroll to handle the medium-high volatility. High-rollers can bet up to $125, but the max win potential of around 1,000x doesn't justify huge stakes compared to modern slots with 10,000x+ potential.