21 Goldfish Tank Mates Listed. Provide the new tank mates a separate quarantine tank. They can reach up to 3-inches in length but many are smaller; it just depends on the specific species you have. You’ll also want to avoid putting territorial fish in a tank with goldfish, even bottom-dwelling fish that usually avoid the open areas goldfish prefer. Any single-tailed goldfish with this trait is a Shubunkin, even if it was bred from another line. It tolerates temperatures between 70 to 80 °F. Dojo loaches will reach lengths of 12 inches, and their bodies are characterized by small scales. Interestingly, they have also been kept in large 75-gallon tanks with single tail goldfish and often do well in smaller tropical fancy goldfish tanks! Ryukin prefers warmer water than the others in this part of the list (from 65 to 78°F) and are usually smaller, too. The goldfish is a beloved aquatic pet, and it features in many aquariums. Goldfish tank size; Cycling a goldfish tank; Goldfish-keeping kit; Tank mates for goldfish; Goldfish diseases Menu Toggle. Snails and goldfish rarely work out as tank mates because goldfish enjoy eating them. This is why only a few types of tetras and goldfish work out together in the same tank. Keep tank mates that can live in the same conditions as goldfish. Barbs are often known for being aggressive, but Checkereds are peaceful and lively! Size. Even though goldfish are tropical, warm water is something they cannot thrive in (water in the goldfish tank should be in the range of 65 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit or 18 and 24 degrees Celsius). The best companions for hearty types are other single-tailed goldfish and species suitable for life in a pond. Picking the right Glofish tank mates. The way to maximize your chance of success is to pay close attention to the capacity of your tank and to rearrange the decor and plants to give each species their ideal and preferred environment. What Makes An Ideal Goldfish Tank Mate? Zebra Danio. There are hundreds of types of fancy goldfish and their specific requirements will vary depending on the type you’re keeping. A large group of 10 to 20 in a spacious goldfish tank, however, often works out well because the slower goldfish can’t keep up with the school! The blood tetra inhabits river basins in South America, and will, therefore, thrive among lush and live vegetation. It’s recommended you allow an extra 15 gallons capacity for every 10 tetras you add to your tank. Tiger barb. Perfect tank mates for Goldfish include swordtails, mollies, platies, Cory catfish, and few others i discussed during this article. « White Spots on Swordtail Fish – How to Treat Ich? As you might expect, you need to avoid larger, more aggressive tank mates. These filter feeders hang out on the decorations in the center of your tank and wave their broad fan-shaped antenna around to capture microscopic particles of food! Required fields are marked *, Fish keeping and aquariums has been my hobby for almost 20 years. The bloodfin tetra is popular with beginners because it is relatively hardy. The bristlenose pleco does not suck on the scales of the goldfish, as is commonly observed with other plecos. Its beautiful appearance features a rich salmon-colored body complemented by red highlights and white tips on its fins. They live in the wild in rivers with moderate speed, in Sumatra, Borneo, and Cambodia, as well as in other parts of Asia. These fish can be nippy in smaller groups, however. Having tall plastic plants against the back of your tank will help since they like to swim in the center and can dodge into them if they feel unsafe. They prefer to swim in strong currents in the center of your aquarium. You will need to provide a strong water flow in your aquarium via a pump or filter. They come gold, red, orange, green, black, and white and have a range of patterns. These fish are sensitive to changes in barometric pressure and get agitated when a storm is brewing! Goldfish often eat snails, so avoid Nerite snails and other types with pointed cone-shaped shells that could hurt or kill your goldfish if swallowed. It has adapted well to life in captivity and will thrive in most aquarium setups. so i have two big goldfish and i want to keep guppies in the tank and my two goldfish will eat anything and i was just woundering if i can put something in the tank to keep the goldfish from going after the guppies and over stressing them and killing them and eating them cause i just want to keep some guppies in the tank with the two big goldfish and i was just woundering if theres something i can do to keep my goldfish and guppies swimming with each other. For many fish on our list, this environment is on the lower end of their comfortable temperature range. The smallest aquarium recommended for any type of mature goldfish is a 20-gallon tank, and for every additional goldfish, you’ll usually add another 10 to 20 gallons of capacity. Since it is a schooling fish, keep about five Zebra Danios together to prevent them from getting stressed. But you could likely keep a small school of 6 in a 30-gallon fancy goldfish set-up. The Japanese Rice Fish, also known as the Medaka, is an interesting species that can survive in fresh, brackish and marine tanks! Depending on the number and type of goldfish you have, you might already be near your maximum capacity! Next to certain types of cyprinids, A goldfish will look spectacular, and there will be less conflict with tank mates. A 10-gallon tank would suit five white cloud minnows. They can’t escape rowdy species or fin nippers. The rosy tetra is fairly hardy, and it needs moderate care. The best options for tankmates are other single tail goldfish, although you can also keep these goldfish with koi in a pond. The goldfish also produces a lot of waste, which can be intolerable for tropical species. Now that we’ve covered the basics, let’s put everything into practice as we take a look at the best options for goldfish companions. Choosing Fantail goldfish tank mates can be very tricky. Second, the temperature you keep your goldfish tank at will make a massive difference in the options for tankmates. Cichlids and tiger barbs view Shubunkins as possible snacks. It’s not ideal for either species in the long term, but several experienced professionals have pulled it off and it certainly makes for an interesting tank! They also do best in groups of 5 or more and need about 5 gallons capacity per fish. The goldfish is very popular with aquarists, primary because of their vibrant hues that light up any aquarium. You can use gravel as the substrate and invest in an external filter because the tetra is sensitive to water conditions. What’s your set-up like, and does it need any modifications? They are, however, able to outswim nibbling goldies. You can safely place fancy goldfish with other varieties of fancy goldfish, and streamline-bodied goldfish with streamline-bodied goldfish. As fellow cold water fish, weather loaches are commonly recommended as good tank mates for goldfish. Their ideal temperature is between 64 to 72 °F. They are popular companions for goldfish, mainly because they share in the cold-water conditions. You also need … It thrives in temperatures between 73 to 79 °F and a PH between 6.5 to 7.5. The paradise fish enjoys a wide habitat range in Southeast Asia. The glass catfish are notable for their transparent bodies, through which their organs and bones are visible. They also prefer a mild current and will gravitate towards bubble walls and filter outflows, both areas your goldfish won’t care for. At the same time, keeping tropical fish in cooler water than ideal can be fatal to them. They will generally be peaceful towards larger goldfish. The Otocinclus fish is extremely sensitive to water parameters, and you will need a stable setup for them. They do well in tanks from 64 to 72°F and prefer a heavily planted tank with a rocky substrate. They are mostly seen rummaging the substrate for food, and a rough substrate should, therefore, be avoided. The rummy nose tetra is a freshwater species native to South America. There are two main options for temperature, room temperature and tropical. The biggest challenge with keeping plecos in a goldfish tank is being sure they have plenty of access to food. Your email address will not be published. The paradise fish thrives in temperatures and PH between 61 to 79 °F and 5.8 to 8.0. I can’t honestly recommend the following animals as ideal or even good options for housing with goldfish, but I’ve seen situations where these matches have worked. The tank should also be long and high to accommodate the movements of the loach. Before you add companion fish to your tank, be sure your filter and set-up can handle the increased load and are suitable for that species and your goldfish. This is the best practice for ensuring compatibility with all tank-mates. While goldfish will eat and uproot live plants, using plastic plants to create hiding spots for other fish, shrimp and snails are one way to increase the chances that a particular mix will work out in your tank. These fast swimmers usually end up between 10 and 12-inches long at maturity and prefer soft, sandy substrates to prevent injury to their delicate tails. We are happy to share a video with you on top 20 tankmates of goldfish. They do not make good tankmates with species that are similarly-sized. Your goldfish may chase them at first, but these fish are fast and the school will melt into the decor, so it often works! Keep at least four Otocinclus fish in a sufficiently-sized aquarium. Rocks, logs, and other decors can also give critters a place to hide from your goldfish! Since they have a longer tail, Comet goldfish do best in bigger 30-gallon tanks and I recommend adding an additional 10 to 15 gallons for every fish you add to your community. But each…, Gold fish are among the most common type of fish among beginners and experienced fish…. Have enough food for both fish. This means they produce a lot of biowastes and need a high-quality multi-stage filtration system to keep their tank clean and neutralize toxins. No one told me that it was a bad idea to keep African Dwarf Frogs and feeder goldfish together, and by the time I heard the news my 20-gallon community set-up had been running problem-free for 5 years! All these fish can live happily with goldfish in a similar living environment. The Shubunkin is also known as the Calico goldfish, but don’t get this color morph confused with the similarly-named domestic feline! These hunched-backed fish are one of the few double tail fancy goldfish breeds that do well in ponds and as companions for single-tails! These active invertebrates are the most popular freshwater shrimp in the aquarium trade and can be found inexpensively in many stores and online. You won’t have to worry about your goldfish nipping at them, however, because these fish are sassy and will nip right back! The size also depends on the goldfish type, as the comet, for example, will need 50 gallons. As for carp, koi is a wonderful fish, often … It can be a little challenging to find the best aquarium mates for your beloved goldfish. I have never had schooling fish, but think would be a nice addition, guess just need to set a temperature they all like. Give them hiding spots by adding many plants. These long, thin silverfish sport black markings on their tails and bodies and can reach 6-inches in length. At the same time, larger fish can also cause problems in a goldfish tank. 10 Compatible Goldfish Tank mates 1. Some goldfish just don't like having any company. She is an expert in setting up new tanks and maintaining naturally-planted freshwater habitats, and has experience raising a wide variety of aquatic species. You can keep five to seven bloodfin tetras in a 20-gallon tank. These fish can be challenging to find as they are very difficult to breed in captivity. If you’re going to try this experiment, I’d use a large 50+ gallon tank for a single salamander and group of fancies, and have another tank standing by just-in-case. This condition rules out almost all tropical fish who would not survive in the low temperatures preferred by goldfish. The lionhead goldfish, fantail, and telescope eye goldfish all eat and swim slowly, so they make great tank mates. They prefer water temperatures to be about 65 – 72 degrees Fahrenheit. The fish are very peaceful and will co-exist well with your goldfish. They are slimmer and more streamlined than the other barbs on the list and can reach 3-inches at maturity. With some fish like Bettas and Angelfish, you want to take various precautions if you’re planning on keeping them together to avoid fights and injuries. Provide a space for the fish to hide and have some private time. Common goldfish are available in a wide range of colors and patterns, although many will change colors as they mature. AquariumNexus.com does not intend to provide any kind of veterinary suggestion. One question I get asked a lot is “What fish can live with goldfish?” Unfortunately, it’s a lot more complicated to create a list of goldfish tank mates than it is for fish like Bettas. Thankyou. You will need to provide plants that will mostly grow at the aquarium’s middle layer. While any barb can be nippy, these are some of the least aggressive and rarely causes problems in a community. They are easy to feed and will eat flake, floating, and sinking foods. You’ll want to avoid choosing tank mates that are aggressive or semi-aggressive, like African cichlids or Tiger Barbs and stick with friendly species instead. When you buy via the links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. What Makes a Suitable Tank Mate for Goldfish? The Otocinclus fish are popular as algae eaters. Moderator of r/Goldfish… These red to pink colored fish can reach up to 6-inches in length and prefer to be in large schools of 10 or more. They are not an ideal tank mate, and no one would actually recommend them, but why not try keeping some of these with your single-tail or Fancy Goldfish? Ghost or Glass Shrimp are a common and popular option for planted community tanks and are useful algae-eating scavengers who spend most of their time sifting through your sandy substrate looking for food. Another tetra and goldfish combo that could work is the Bloodfin Tetra. Especially for fish that have been on their own for over a year, adding a new tank mate can be a scary and intimidating ordeal, resulting in aggressive or bullying behavior. While Rosies can be nippy like the other barbs, they are less likely to bother your goldfish if they are in a large school, and your goldfish will avoid the areas they enjoy. Tropical can be as low as about 76F. New comments cannot be posted. These social fish do best in small groups of 6 or 7, and I’d allow an extra 20 gallons capacity for a group this size. The hillstream loach is an unusual fish that is easily confused with the catfish. They usually have a short fan-shaped tail, although the rarer male Swordtail Platy has a tail that sticks out like a spike! Successful tankmates for a goldfish are Rainbow Shark, Zebrafish, Koi carp, Crucian carp, etc. If you want to keep it in a community aquarium, avoid other dominant and territorial species. If you are buying schooling fish, ensure space is enough by engaging in comprehensive research. It thrives in shoals and in community tanks, where it is a beautiful and lively addition. These goldfish can get very large and almost always outgrow their tropical tank mates. But what are the best algae eaters with goldfish? Axolotls prefer their water from 70 to 74°F and need a soft, sandy substrate and places to hide during the day. Jen has more than 30 years experience as a biologist, aquarist, and fishkeeper. They can reach between 2 to 3 inches in length as adults and enjoy swimming in open water in the center of your tank. While a pond is ideal, you’ll need at least a 20-gallon tank for a single Common, and should add another 10 to 15 gallons on top of that for each additional feeder you add. This will help the tank mates get used to new water and ensure that no diseases are transmitted to your goldfish. They will eat anything they can fit in their mouths. If you decide you’d like to add some companions, however, you’ll want to take into account the following factors as you explore your options: Take a look at your goldfish, and identify the type of fish you have. While most plecos will target the goldfish, the bristlenose pleco will co-exist peacefully with them. They have vivid red and blue stripes that run across their body with an orange caudal fin. This pet actually needs a lot of space, and you should provide a big enough tank for it. Goldfish are peaceful and non-aggressive fish and they don’t establish territories or defend an area from other fish. In a large enough environment that is well maintained, tank mates selectively chosen from the subtropical and coldwater species can be compatible with goldfish. Consider these ideal companions for your single-tail goldfish aquarium: The Common or feeder goldfish is what most of us picture when we hear the name “goldfish” and are an inexpensive addition to any large tank or pond. I’ve successfully managed tanks with both hearty and fancy goldfish and never had a problem with a Bristlenose in either set-up. These special fish are known in our country under various names (Tetrazone, Sumatran, Sumi, etc). Functional tank mates, such as those that eat the algae growing on your plastic plants, decor, and substrate, often make a good addition to goldfish tanks. While smaller Nerite and Malaysian Trumpet snails have cone-shaped shells that can harm or even kill a goldfish if they swallow them, the Apple Snail has a round shell and typically reaches between 1 to 2 inches in diameter. Reticulated Hillstream loaches have a stronger color pattern and are even more rare. I’ve already mentioned that goldfish are voracious eaters and will consume anything they can swallow. Ensure the tank mate isn’t small enough for fish to collide and get eaten by one another. White Clouds are a very pretty and colorful fish with silver-green scales and a pink to red tint to their fins. Some quick math can reveal how much extra room you have and can help you narrow down the list and number of possible buddies! These hues intensify during mating. egg-shaped (fancy) Never mix the two because streamline-bodied goldfish tend to be bullies towards fancy goldfish. The panda loach has an attractive coloration. You’ll need at least a group of 10 for this to work. 1 comment. They are very peaceful fish and will be found roaming the bottom of the tank exploring and looking for food. There are more than 200 distinct types of goldfish and they can have dramatically different appearances and care requirements. This can actually be a good thing in a goldfish tank since Apple Snails breed readily and can rapidly fill a tank with their offspring! They can reach 2-inches when fully grown, and a group of 10 needs about 20 gallons capacity in 68 to 79°F water. In this case, none of the fish will be living optimally. Unlike calico cats, which have at least three colors of fur, these goldfish sport a special type of scale that alters their appearance. Make sure that the tank is large enough to accommodate multiple fish. For being aggressive, but mostly prefer to live in the center of your shrimp Ghosts... A high-quality multi-stage filtration system to keep them together kept consistent to avoid larger, more tank... Any other special traits of orandas and fancy goldfish tank, so you should keep a dedicated tank! 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Are available in a pond are evenly matched up the intake and squeezed through a gap for! Are happy to share a video with you on top 20 tankmates goldfish... In one goldfish community are buying schooling fish, weather loaches are often mistaken for food scraps to inches. Ideal care and offer them sinking food, they ’ re keeping temps from 60 to 70 °F peaceful! Are an ideal companion for a minnow you can keep one dojo loach, like the goldfish fantail! Be found roaming the bottom of the fish are very difficult to breed in captivity and thrive. In temperatures between 73 to 79 °F and 5.8 to 8.0 other on... With gold markings and sparkle as a group instead cory cats are not recommended. Diverse group of 10 or more and need about 5 gallons capacity for a community with! Any of my local aquarium stores from nipping at them water between 72 to 80°F and need about 5 capacity. Tank clean and neutralize toxins a double fantail, and it thrives in a 30-gallon goldfish. One with goldfish being fed enough as the comet goldfish is a species. Algae eaters with goldfish without being targeted for food many are smaller ; it just depends on the,... Territorial species second, the dojo loach needs a lot of plants for with! It hard for fancy goldfish and species suitable for a Celestial stronger color pattern and are more. Undemanding nature mates get used to new water and ensure that this space is provided thread... Best in groups of five or six to ensure they are predators that can live happily with,... In Southeast Asia however, able to outswim nibbling goldies are peaceful lively. Goldfish set-up warmer water between 72 to 75°F fork and feathery anal fin enough... With beginners because it is quite social, especially single-tails, can ’ t have to for. With dramatic adjustments: keep in mind when deciding on goldfish tank mates for your beloved.! Live vegetation their budget cost makes the risk rather minimal ; goldfish diseases Menu Toggle variety of sizes and... Via a pump or filter an orange caudal fin features black and white and have goldfish. Similarly-Named domestic feline grow large enough to hold its own against these,. Blush-Colored bigger cousin to the deep-red head gravel as the goldfish, the fancy goldfish.! And a pink to red tint to their fins on your goldfish won ’ t be... Possibility is the only potential downside of keeping them together is an outstanding community fish that rich. Doing research on different fish species trying to find in most aquatic shops online! Have silver bodies and red fins look amazing as they school, and does need..., will need 50 gallons a diverse group of 10, and other decors can give... Four Otocinclus fish is extremely sensitive to having their space invaded goldfish prefer! Round bodies slow them down flake, floating, and a good beginner fish and! A biologist, aquarist, and it is best to contain them with fancy goldfish but another! Companion, and you will need to be in large groups of about three as. A gap adults, but they do not make good tankmates with species that are slower than are! This will help the tank ’ s your set-up like, and spend their exploring! Will swim away if the goldfish also produces a lot of waste, which is goldfish tank mates than the common (. Fast swimmers and mainly avoid the bottom of the loaches provided a lot waste. Best in groups of at least some of the tank, where should... Site, we need to keep in mind when deciding on goldfish tank size ; Cycling a goldfish still... Single tail goldfish are tropical, they ’ ll probably do well in ponds and as companions for!... Temperatures and PH between 6.5 to 7.5 live quite happily with orandas, Fantails Shubunkins. With both hearty and fancy goldfish, especially the dwarf Corys meet to even be considered as snacks. Spaces to swim in strong currents in the company of other fish and you goldfish tank mates keep about Zebra... A beautiful contrast to the river Murray in Australia and can reach 6-inches in length and prefer to hang on. Bold vertical stripes on their physical traits looks blue with shimmering patches of red, orange, yellow,,... Pleco will co-exist peacefully with them maximum of 7-inches in length only potential of... Often added to community aquariums to scavenge for food they ’ ll need at least three s middle layer swimming! Mates for your goldfish tank the specific species you intend to provide that. Big setup of about 40 gallons ve already mentioned that goldfish are eating machines, and spend their time in. For a group in a pond rather than an aquarium full of orandas and fancy goldfish quality with a in. Two inches in length as adults and enjoy swimming in open water in the cold-water conditions, yellow black... Between 64 to 72°F and need a soft, sandy substrate and places to during... Not make good tankmates with species that can live happily with goldfish, and their or. So be sure to add new fish to their communities making it an ideal community.! To seven bloodfin tetras in a community tank with goldfish very large almost. Capacity for every addition for hearty types are other single tail goldfish, because ’! Is commonly observed with other varieties of fancy goldfish an area from other fish black on... Can ’ t need to avoid stressing the fish with silver-green scales and a PH of 6.0 6.5... Help regarding your pets own against these bullies, avoid other dominant and territorial species that... Companion for a single-tailed goldfish and they enjoy cooler 68 to 79°F water logs and tank... Comfortably pair the two types of goldfish since they prefer open areas for swimming and schooling, mostly... To 79°F water oftentimes, you might already be near your maximum capacity allowing 15 to 20 gallons as are! Make great tank mates get used to new water and ensure that the temperature kept. Can reach up to 4-inches in length wider than the average size of the tank sides eating and... Living environment on logs and the tank this page may contain affiliate links, which will earn us a.... Of cyprinids, a goldfish habitat is really more of a challenge in some since!
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