Goldfish are nearsighted, with limited front vision. But, luckily for fish, vision is to a very important sense for them. Different types of fish have different eyes, because of mutations and leaves some fish looking only in one direction. But, this doesn't have a big affect on their senses and actions. In fish, the sense of smell isn't that good or sophisitcated, but it is one of their more important senses.
Fish use their sense of smell to communicate with others and their environment.
Their sense of smell is also used to detect food, it plays an important role in sexual activity, and it even plays a role in a fish's school groups. The smell organs, like in humans are their nostrils. Fish's nostrils do not connect to the mouth or throat. Goldfish mostly have two nostrils, one on each side of their head or snout. Water enters and leaves the nostril through the same opening.