Good Fish To Put With Goldfish – 7 Safe Species For A Thriving
Thinking about giving your goldfish a friend? It’s a wonderful thought! Goldfish are surprisingly social creatures, and a well-planned community tank can be a vibrant, beautiful centerpiece in your home. But let’s be honest, it’s also one of the trickiest puzzles in fishkeeping, and a wrong move can lead to stress, injury, or worse.
You’ve probably heard conflicting advice, seen disastrous pairings at pet stores, and now you’re wondering if it’s even possible. I’m here to tell you it absolutely is.
As an aquarist who has navigated these waters for years, I promise this guide will clear up the confusion. We’ll walk through exactly what makes for good fish to put with goldfish, explore seven fantastic and safe species, and give you the pro tips to ensure a peaceful, thriving aquarium for everyone.
Get ready to transform your solo goldfish bowl into a lively, harmonious community. Let’s dive in!
The Golden Rules: What Makes a Good Goldfish Tank Mate?
Before we even name specific species, we need to talk strategy. Finding the right tank mate isn’t about luck; it’s about compatibility. Goldfish aren’t your typical tropical fish, and they have a unique set of needs. Forgetting these rules is the number one reason pairings fail.
Understanding these four pillars is the most important part of this entire good fish to put with goldfish guide. Get this right, and you’re 90% of the way there.
Cool Water Companions
This is the biggest deal-breaker. Goldfish are temperate, or coldwater, fish. They thrive in unheated tanks with temperatures between 65-74°F (18-23°C). Most of the popular fish you see—like Bettas, Tetras, and Angelfish—are tropical and need water above 75°F to stay healthy. Keeping them together means one group will always be stressed and prone to illness. Stick to fish that love the same cool environment.
Peaceful Personalities Only
Goldfish are generally peaceful, but they are also slow, a bit clumsy, and have long, tempting fins (especially fancy varieties). You must avoid aggressive or semi-aggressive fish known for fin-nipping, like many Barbs or Cichlids. Your goldfish will become a target, leading to constant stress and infection.
Size Matters (A Lot!)
Here’s a simple truth: if a fish can fit in a goldfish’s mouth, it will eventually end up there. Goldfish are opportunistic omnivores and will happily slurp up any small tank mate like a Neon Tetra or a guppy. Conversely, you don’t want a fish that will outgrow and bully your goldfish. The goal is to find fish that are large enough not to be eaten but won’t become aggressive giants.
Similar Dietary Needs
Goldfish are slow, methodical eaters. Fast, zippy fish can easily outcompete them for food, gobbling everything up before your goldfish gets a chance. This leads to malnourishment for your goldfish and potential overfeeding for the tank mates. Look for other calm eaters or develop a feeding strategy that ensures everyone gets their share.
Our Top 7 Picks for Good Fish to Put with Goldfish
Alright, now for the fun part! Based on the rules above, here are seven of the most reliable and safe tank mates for your goldfish. I’ve personally kept most of these combinations with great success, and they are widely recommended by experienced keepers.
1. Rosy Barbs (Pethia conchonius)
Wait, didn’t I just say to avoid barbs? Rosy Barbs are the exception! They are one of the larger, more peaceful members of the barb family. They are active, hardy, and share the same temperature requirements as goldfish. Keep them in a school of at least five to ensure they focus their energy on each other, not your goldfish’s fins.
2. White Cloud Mountain Minnows (Tanichthys albonubes)
These little guys are fantastic. They are peaceful, stay small (but are fast enough to avoid being a snack), and thrive in cool water. Don’t worry—these fish are perfect for beginners! A shimmering school of White Clouds adds a ton of activity to the upper levels of the tank, creating a beautiful contrast with your slower-moving goldfish below.
3. Bristlenose Pleco (Ancistrus sp.)
This is likely the only “pleco” you should ever consider. Unlike the Common Pleco which grows to a monstrous two feet and can develop a taste for goldfish slime coats, the Bristlenose stays a manageable 4-5 inches. They are excellent algae eaters and will happily coexist, just make sure they have driftwood to munch on and hiding spots to call their own.
4. Variatus Platy (Xiphophorus variatus)
While many livebearers prefer warmer water, the Variatus Platy is an exception, comfortably living in the lower 70s. They are peaceful, colorful, and hardy. They are a bit more robust than guppies, making them a safer choice. Just be prepared—they breed easily, so you might want to stick to an all-male or all-female group!
5. Zebra Danios (Danio rerio)
Zebra Danios are little rockets of energy! They are extremely hardy and prefer the same cool temperatures. Their speed makes them great companions for the faster, single-tailed goldfish varieties like Comets and Shubunkins. For slower fancy goldfish, they can sometimes be a bit too boisterous, so observe your tank’s dynamic carefully.
6. Dojo Loach (Misgurnus anguillicaudatus)
Also known as the Weather Loach, these eel-like fish are full of personality. They are peaceful bottom-dwellers that will sift through the substrate looking for leftover food. They get quite large, so they are safe from being eaten, but they require a large tank (55+ gallons). Their goofy antics make them a truly fun addition.
7. Other Goldfish!
Honestly, the absolute best tank mate for a goldfish is another goldfish. But there’s a catch: you should only keep similar types together.
- Fancy Goldfish: Pair slow-swimming, double-tailed fancies (like Orandas, Ryukins, and Fantails) with other fancies.
- Single-Tail Goldfish: Keep athletic, fast-swimming single-tails (like Comets and Shubunkins) with their own kind.
Mixing the two types often results in the fancies being outcompeted for food and bullied by their faster cousins.
Fish to AVOID: The ‘Never-Ever’ List for Your Goldfish Tank
Just as important as knowing what to add is knowing what to avoid. Adding the wrong fish is one of the most common problems with good fish to put with goldfish. Please, for the health of your fish, steer clear of these.
- Most Tropical Fish: This includes Neon Tetras, Guppies, Angelfish, and Bettas. Their temperature and temperament needs are simply not compatible.
- Aggressive Fish: Cichlids (like Oscars or Jack Dempseys) and many other semi-aggressive species will terrorize and kill your goldfish.
- Common Plecos: They get enormous, produce a ton of waste, and are notorious for sucking on the protective slime coat of goldfish as they get older, causing deadly infections.
- Small Shrimp and Snails: Anything smaller than your goldfish’s eye, like Cherry Shrimp or Ramshorn Snails, will be viewed as a delicious and expensive snack.
Setting Up for Success: A Good Fish to Put with Goldfish Care Guide
Simply tossing new fish into the tank is a recipe for disaster. A successful community tank is built on a solid foundation. Following these good fish to put with goldfish best practices will ensure a smooth transition and long-term harmony.
Tank Size is Non-Negotiable
Goldfish are messy and grow large. There is no substitute for space. A crowded tank leads to poor water quality, stress, and aggression.
- For Fancy Goldfish: Start with a 20-30 gallon tank for the first fish, and add 10-15 gallons for each additional fancy goldfish.
- For Single-Tail Goldfish: These need much more room. Think a 40-gallon breeder for one, and a 75+ gallon tank or a pond for a community.
When adding other species, you must account for their space needs on top of this baseline. Bigger is always better.
Over-Filtration is Your Best Friend
Because of their high bioload (a nice way of saying they poop a lot), you need a filter rated for a tank at least twice the size of your actual aquarium. A powerful canister filter or two large hang-on-back filters are excellent choices. This keeps the water clean and stable for all inhabitants.
The Importance of Quarantining New Fish
This is the pro tip that separates successful aquarists from frustrated ones. Never add a new fish directly to your main tank. Always quarantine new arrivals in a separate, smaller tank (10 gallons is fine) for 4-6 weeks. This allows you to monitor for any diseases and treat them before they can infect your entire established community. It’s the single best thing you can do to protect your beloved pets.
Common Problems with Good Fish to Put with Goldfish (And How to Solve Them)
Even with perfect planning, you might hit a snag. Don’t panic! Here’s how to troubleshoot the most common issues.
Problem: Food Competition
If you notice faster fish eating all the food, try using a sinking pellet for your goldfish. The other fish will likely feed at the surface, allowing the pellets to reach your goldfish on the substrate. You can also distract the faster fish on one side of the tank with flakes while you drop pellets for the goldfish on the other.
Problem: Fin Nipping
If you see any fin nipping, the first step is to ensure the aggressor species is in a proper school (like Rosy Barbs). Often, this behavior stops when they have enough of their own kind to interact with. If it continues, you may need to separate the fish permanently. This is why choosing peaceful species from the start is so critical.
Problem: Stress and Hiding
If a new fish is constantly hiding, it could be a sign of stress or bullying. Ensure there are plenty of hiding places like plants (real or silk), caves, and driftwood. Double-check your water parameters. If one specific fish is being targeted, it might be an incompatible personality, requiring rehoming.
Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Choices for Your Goldfish Community
Being a great aquarist also means being a responsible one. The choices we make impact the environment. Here’s how to think about a sustainable good fish to put with goldfish setup.
Choose Captive-Bred Fish
Whenever possible, purchase fish that have been bred in captivity rather than collected from the wild. This reduces pressure on wild ecosystems and ensures you get a healthier animal that is already accustomed to aquarium life. Most of the fish on our recommended list are readily available as captive-bred.
Support Reputable Local Fish Stores
Building a relationship with a good local fish store is invaluable. They often have healthier, better-cared-for livestock than large chain stores and can provide expert advice. Supporting them helps maintain a healthy, eco-friendly good fish to put with goldfish hobby in your community.
Never Release Fish into the Wild
This is a critical rule. Goldfish and other non-native species can become highly invasive, destroying local ecosystems. If you ever need to rehome a fish, return it to a fish store, sell it, give it away to another hobbyist, or humanely euthanize it. Never, ever release it into a local pond or waterway.
Frequently Asked Questions About Goldfish Tank Mates
Can I put a betta fish with my goldfish?
No, this is a very poor match. Bettas are tropical fish that need warm water (78-80°F), while goldfish need cool water. This temperature incompatibility alone makes them unsuitable tank mates. Furthermore, a betta’s long fins could be nipped by a curious goldfish, or the betta could become aggressive toward a slow-moving fancy goldfish.
How many tank mates can my goldfish have?
This depends entirely on your tank size, filtration, and the species you choose. The rule is not about the number of fish but about the total bioload and space. Always start with the required space for your goldfish, then research the needs of the tank mates. A lightly stocked tank is always healthier than an overstocked one.
Do goldfish get lonely by themselves?
While “lonely” might be giving them too much human emotion, goldfish are definitely social animals. They are often more active, confident, and engaged when kept with other goldfish or appropriate tank mates. A solo goldfish can live a perfectly healthy life in a well-maintained tank, but they often thrive with companionship.
What snails are safe with goldfish?
This is tricky, as goldfish will try to eat most snails. The best candidates are snails that get too big to eat and have a tough “trapdoor” (operculum) to protect themselves. Mystery Snails and Nerite Snails are popular choices. Nerites are great because their eggs won’t hatch in freshwater, preventing an infestation.
Your Thriving Community Awaits
Creating a beautiful community tank for your goldfish isn’t a mystery—it’s a science. By respecting their unique needs for cool water, a peaceful environment, and plenty of space, you can absolutely provide them with companionship.
Remember the golden rules, choose your tank mates wisely from our safe list, and set up your aquarium for success from day one. These are the most important good fish to put with goldfish tips you’ll ever need.
You now have the expert knowledge to move forward with confidence. Go create that bustling, harmonious aquarium you’ve been dreaming of. Happy fishkeeping!
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