What Fish Can I Put In With Goldfish – Your Ultimate Guide To Peaceful
So, you’re gazing at your beautiful goldfish gliding through its tank, and a thought pops into your head: “It looks a little lonely in there.” You start dreaming of a bustling, vibrant community aquarium, full of life and color. I get it completely. It’s a natural next step for any enthusiastic aquarist.
But then, the uncertainty kicks in. You’ve probably heard horror stories or conflicting advice. Finding friends for your goldfish can feel like navigating a minefield. Don’t worry, I’m here to promise you that creating a peaceful, multi-species goldfish tank is not only possible but also incredibly rewarding when done right.
This guide will walk you through exactly what fish can i put in with goldfish. We’ll explore the unique challenges goldfish present, give you a checklist for choosing the perfect companions, and reveal our A-list of the best tank mates (and which ones to avoid at all costs!).
Let’s dive in and turn your solitary setup into a harmonious aquatic community!
The Goldfish Challenge: Why Finding Tank Mates is So Tricky
Before we start adding fish, it’s crucial to understand why goldfish have a reputation for being difficult roommates. Knowing the “why” is the first step in our expert what fish can i put in with goldfish guide. It’s not because they’re mean—it’s because their needs are very specific.
Here are the main challenges you’ll face:
- Cold Water vs. Tropical: This is the biggest hurdle. Goldfish are coldwater fish, thriving in temperatures between 65-72°F (18-22°C). Most popular aquarium fish are tropical and need much warmer water (75-80°F or 24-27°C). This immediately disqualifies a huge number of potential tank mates.
- They Are Messy: Let’s be honest, goldfish are the adorable, clumsy toddlers of the fish world. They are voracious eaters and produce a tremendous amount of waste. This high “bioload” can quickly pollute the water, creating toxic conditions for more sensitive fish.
- Size and Appetite: Goldfish have a simple rule: if it fits in their mouth, it’s potentially food. This makes keeping them with small fish like Neon Tetras or Guppies an absolute non-starter. They will disappear, and it won’t be a magic trick.
- Clumsy vs. Quick: Fancy goldfish, with their flowing fins and round bodies, are slow and sometimes clumsy swimmers. They can be easily outcompeted for food by faster, more agile fish. They can also be targets for notorious fin-nippers.
Understanding these common problems with what fish can i put in with goldfish is half the battle won. Now, let’s build a framework for success.
The Golden Rules: Your Checklist for Goldfish Compatibility
To build a thriving community, you need to think like a matchmaker. It’s all about compatibility. Before you even consider a specific species, run it through this checklist. These are the what fish can i put in with goldfish best practices that will save you time, money, and heartache.
- Match the Temperature: The new fish must be comfortable in the same cool water temperatures as your goldfish. No exceptions. Look for species labeled as coldwater or subtropical.
- Size Up the Situation: Any new tank mate must be large enough right now—not “when it grows up”—to not fit in your goldfish’s mouth. A good rule of thumb is to choose fish that are at least as large as your goldfish’s eye, but bigger is always safer.
- Peaceful Personality Required: You need calm, peaceful fish. Avoid anything known to be aggressive, territorial, or a fin-nipper (like many barbs and some tetras). Your slow-moving fancy goldfish will thank you.
- Consider Eating Styles: Your new additions should be able to compete for food without being overly aggressive. Bottom-feeders are often a great choice because they occupy a different level of the tank and clean up the mess your goldfish leaves behind.
- Tank Size is Everything: Adding more fish means you need more space. A lot more. A single fancy goldfish needs a minimum of 20 gallons, with an extra 10 gallons for each additional goldfish. When adding other species, you need to account for their needs, too. Overcrowding is the #1 cause of failure.
The A-List: Best Tank Mates for Your Goldfish
Alright, you’ve got the rules down. Now for the fun part! Here are some of the most reliable and peaceful fish that can live happily with your goldfish, provided you have a large enough tank.
Rosy Barbs
Wait, a barb? Yes! While many barbs are fin-nippers, Rosy Barbs are one of the most peaceful of the bunch. They are active, hardy, and get large enough (up to 6 inches) to not be seen as a snack. They also tolerate cooler water quite well. Keep them in a school of 5 or more to help them feel secure and spread out any playful energy.
White Cloud Mountain Minnows
These little guys are a fantastic choice, especially for tanks with faster, single-tailed goldfish like Commons or Comets. White Clouds are true coldwater fish and are incredibly hardy. They are fast swimmers and tend to stay in the upper levels of the tank, keeping out of the goldfish’s way. Important: They are small, so only add them with juvenile goldfish or in a very large, well-planted tank where they have plenty of hiding spots.
Dojo Loaches (Weather Loaches)
If you want a fish with personality, look no further! Dojo Loaches are peaceful, sausage-shaped bottom dwellers that are endlessly entertaining. They sift through the substrate for leftover food, helping to keep the tank clean. They thrive in cold water and get large enough to be safe companions. They are also known for becoming very tame and may even eat from your hand!
Bristlenose Plecos
This is a tricky one, so listen closely. Most plecos are a terrible match for goldfish. The Common Pleco gets enormous and can develop a taste for a goldfish’s slime coat, causing serious harm. The Bristlenose Pleco, however, stays much smaller (around 5 inches) and is generally more peaceful. They are excellent algae eaters but require driftwood in the tank to rasp on for their digestive health. They prefer slightly warmer water, so they are best kept at the higher end of the goldfish’s temperature range, around 70-72°F (21-22°C).
Giant Danios
For those with very large tanks (75 gallons or more), Giant Danios are an excellent option. They are fast, active, and stick to the top of the water column. Their speed means they won’t be bullied or outcompeted for food, and their size (around 4 inches) keeps them safe. They are schooling fish, so you’ll need a group of at least 6 to keep them happy.
What Fish Can I Put In With Goldfish: A Step-by-Step Introduction Guide
You’ve picked out the perfect new friend for your goldfish. Fantastic! But don’t just plop them in the tank. A proper introduction is key to long-term success. Following this process shows you how to what fish can i put in with goldfish safely.
Step 1: Quarantine is Non-Negotiable
Every new fish, no matter where you got it, must be quarantined. Set up a separate, smaller tank (a 10-gallon works well) and house the new fish there for at least 2-4 weeks. This allows you to observe for any signs of illness or parasites and treat them before they can infect your main display tank. It’s the single most important step you can take to protect your established fish.
Step 2: Acclimate Like a Pro
After quarantine, don’t just dump the fish from the bag into the tank. The sudden change in water parameters can cause shock and even death. The best method is drip acclimation. Place the new fish in a bucket with its bag water, then use a piece of airline tubing to start a slow siphon from your main tank into the bucket. Let it drip for 30-60 minutes until the water volume in the bucket has doubled. This gives the fish plenty of time to adjust.
Step 3: Rearrange the Furniture
This is a pro tip! Before adding the new fish, do a little redecorating in your main tank. Move a large plant, a rock, or a piece of decor. This breaks up any established territories your goldfish may have claimed, making it less likely to view the new arrival as an intruder.
Step 4: Lights Out and Monitor
Add the new, acclimated fish to the tank with the lights off to reduce stress. For the next few hours and days, keep a close eye on everyone. Watch for any signs of chasing, nipping, or bullying. A little curiosity is normal, but persistent aggression means you may need to separate them.
Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Goldfish Keeping
Part of being a great aquarist is being a responsible one. When considering tank mates, thinking about sustainability can make a huge difference for your fish and the environment. Here are some tips for sustainable what fish can i put in with goldfish practices.
Choose fish from reputable sources, like a local fish store you trust or a local breeder. This reduces the stress of long-distance shipping and supports ethical breeding practices. Avoid buying fish from sources where they look unhealthy or are kept in crowded, dirty tanks.
The most eco-friendly what fish can i put in with goldfish tip is providing a massive tank. A large, stable environment is healthier for your fish, requires fewer emergency water changes, and allows you to create a more balanced ecosystem with live plants. Live plants act as natural filters, absorbing nitrates and providing oxygen—a win-win for everyone!
The “Absolutely Not” List: Fish to Avoid with Goldfish
Just as important as knowing what fish to add is knowing what fish to avoid. Adding the wrong fish is one of the most common problems with what fish can i put in with goldfish that beginners face. Please, for the sake of your fish, never house them with the following:
- Most Tropical Fish: This includes Bettas, Guppies, Mollies, Angelfish, and Gouramis. Their temperature and water parameter needs are simply incompatible.
- Aggressive or Territorial Fish: Cichlids (like Oscars or Jack Dempseys) and aggressive barbs (like Tiger Barbs) will bully and severely injure your slow-moving goldfish.
- Tiny Fish: Neon Tetras, Ember Tetras, and small Rasboras will almost certainly become an expensive snack.
- Common Plecos: As mentioned, they grow into 2-foot-long giants that can injure your goldfish by sucking on their protective slime coat.
- Other Goldfish (Sometimes!): Avoid mixing fast, single-tailed Common or Comet goldfish with slow, round-bodied Fancy goldfish (like Orandas or Ryukins). The faster varieties will outcompete the fancies for food every time.
Frequently Asked Questions About Goldfish Tank Mates
Can two goldfish live together?
Absolutely! Goldfish are quite social and often do well with other goldfish of the same type. Just remember the sizing rules: 20 gallons for the first fancy goldfish, and at least 10 extra gallons for each additional one. For single-tailed varieties like Comets, you need a much larger tank or a pond.
How big of a tank do I need for goldfish and their friends?
Bigger is always better. Start with the baseline for your goldfish (e.g., 30 gallons for two fancies), then add the minimum tank size requirement for their new companions. For a community tank with a few goldfish and a school of Rosy Barbs or a Dojo Loach, you should be looking at a tank of 55-75 gallons or more to ensure everyone has enough space and the water quality remains stable.
Can I put a Betta fish with a goldfish?
No, this is a very common but dangerous myth. They are completely incompatible. Bettas are tropical fish that need warm water (78-80°F), while goldfish need cold water. The temperature difference alone is enough to make one or both fish sick and stressed.
Do goldfish get lonely?
While we can’t know for sure if they feel “lonely” in the human sense, they are social creatures. They often become more active and engaging when kept with suitable companions, whether it’s another goldfish or a different compatible species. Adding friends can be a great form of enrichment and lead to a more dynamic and interesting aquarium, which is one of the main benefits of what fish can i put in with goldfish.
Your Thriving Community Awaits!
Whew, that was a lot of information! But now you’re armed with the expert knowledge you need to confidently choose the right companions for your goldfish. Remember the golden rules: match the temperature, size, and temperament, and always provide a massive tank.
Don’t be discouraged by the challenges. By being patient and deliberate, you can avoid the common pitfalls and create the beautiful, bustling community tank you’ve been dreaming of.
You have the complete what fish can i put in with goldfish care guide at your fingertips. Now go forth and build a happy, harmonious home for your aquatic friends. Happy fishkeeping!
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