What is the life expectancy of a goldfish?

Average for most people who know what they are doing and have a healthy aquarium is about 5-6 years. People who don't really know what they are doing? 2 years. For goldfish that have good surroundings, maybe an outside pond, great care, they can live into their 30's. The oldest goldfish I think was over 40 years old. And koi, relatives of the goldfish, can live over one hundred years:-)

around my niece and nephew.. approximately 2 hrs. lol

When I lived in Alaska I had 3 goldfish, that I got when they were only about half an inch long. They were just small feeder type goldfish. I got them because they had pretty black and gold coloring and they were cheap. I had them for about five years and they grew to be around 4 or 5 inches long and 2-3 inches around, plus they lost their pretty color and turned a silvery white. Eventually when I had to move back down here to the lower 48, I had to give them away.

So I do know that they live at least 5 years or so. Fish in their natural environments can live to be over 100, so I would think that well cared for goldfish could too.

I fed my goldfish the usual dry fish food, but also fresh meal worms and brine shrimp and ever now and then bites of McDonald's Big Mac and Pizza. They loved Big Macs. They would stare out of their fish tank and beg like a dog. LOL

My fancytail goldfish are still kicking one is about 12 and the other about 10..:)

My guess is a couple years.

That depends, the type of evironment (fish bowl or tank, changing the water daily or having that oxygen pump, etc.) what food your giving it, and just the fish itself.

My two common goldfish lived 9 hears and 13 years, respectively. My fantail lived 10-11 years. A lot of work to keep my fish healthy & happy, but it was well worth it.

With or without humans?

At my house? About 2 days.