What kind of other fishes can I keep with my goldfishes?

Question

I have a 12 gallon tank, and 4 goldfishes which are each about 6 inches long.

U have 4 goldfish in a 12 gallon tank..i bought them at the pet store when they were really tiny...now they are 6inches...and i've had them for almost 2years

Answer 1

you can get some platys and a paradise fish. They can be kept in a cooler environment.

Answer 2

Bottom line, you need a bigger tank. You really should upgrade to a 30 gallon just for the fish you have alone, although ideally they should be in 55 gallon tank . I've kept much smaller gold fish in the size tank you have now and they did not do well at all. Goldfish produce a bunch of waste compared to fish of comparable size so crowing goldfish is never good. After that... goldfish aren't all that great with other fish unless they are other gold fish... there are many types of fancy goldfish to choose from but they also get to be around 6 inches or more (much more). I've been keeping Cory catfish with my goldfish and they aren't that bad together as long as the catfish have hiding spots to get a break from the goldfish. However, goldfish are swimming garbage disposals and will eat other fishes food even when it isn't all that great for them.

Answer 3

Aside from any compatibility issues with other types of freshwater fish, you are seriously overcrowded. For 6 inch goldfish, you must allow a minimum of 20 gallons of water per fish and when they reach 8 inches, you are going to have to increase this to 30-40 gallons of water per fish. For your 4 goldfish, you should have an 80 gallon tank minimum. I'm not only surprised that they have lived long enough to reach 6 inches, unless you bought them at this size, let alone even be able to turn around in that tiny tank. I know this isn't what you want to hear, but if you don't get a bigger tank as soon as you possibly can, your fish will slowly get sick and die. So, no more fish and get a bigger tank or two 40-50 gallon tanks. Seriously!

Answer 4

Goldfish are best kept with other goldfish. Besides, you tank is too small for 1 goldfish, much less 4. Fancy goldfish need 20 gallons each, even that is cutting it close. Long bodied goldfish need 100+ gallons, so you need to get a bigger tank or different fish, because keeping 4 goldfish in a 12 gallon tank is just plain cruel.

Answer 5

I agree with other answers here that this tank is already overcrowded, and adding more fish, no matter how small they are, is not practical. It doesn't seem possible that you grew these fish to that size in a 12 gal.aquarium. I suspect that you either mis-stated the size of your fish, or more likely, the size of your aquarium. Are you sure your aquarium is 12 gal ? To check this out, multiply the length, times the width, times the height, and divide the answer by 231. This will give you the gal capacity of your tank. But remember, the gal.capacity of all tanks is calculated by outside dimensions, not taking in the glass thickness, and by the time you subtract that loss with the gravel and the fact you fill the tank somewhere between 1 to 2 inches from the top, you have lost about 1/4 of your gal. capacity. If you are correct in what you said, and you want to keep that tank, I think you should deal with other smaller varieties of fish. For the long haul, this tank is just to small to keep goldfish in, as they are very dirty, and can get very large. As far as small fish to start with, start with easy varieties, like the Danio family, Zebras, Giant Danios, Pearl Danios etc. White Cloud Mountain Fish are easy also. And one thing about these varieties, you don't need a heater, as long as the temperature does not make wild fluctuations. I put these fish in outside ponds duing the summer, and take them out in the late fall. They multiply quickly in a pond. For example, I can put 8 Zebras out in the spring, and end up with at least 40 or more in the fall. One thing about the cold, I had moved all the fish I could find last fall with the water temp. about 40 degrees fahrenheit. Several weeks later, after a cold snap, which had put a light coating of ice on the ponds, I was draining them down to remove some leaves, and found one lone adult female Zebra on the bottom. She moved very quickly among the leaves, and was not to easy to catch. After carefully removing more leaves I finally caught her. The water temp. was 34 degrees fahrenheit, but she was very livley and didn't seem to mind it at all.

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Answer 6

My tiny $.09 goldfish grew to be a foot long and 9" wide after SIXTEEN YEARS. Mine went from a tiny bowl to a 55-gallon tank! Your tank is ALREADY way overcrowded. For the sake of your fish, I hope you get a bigger tank.

Answer 7

each and every Goldfish needs 10 Gallons, each and every extra Goldfish needs 20 Gallons. Dojo Loaches, Minnows, Pond Snails, Cory Cats, Hillstream Loach, Rubbernose/Rubberlip Pleco, Bristlenose Pleco.

Answer 8

You can keep almost any fish with goldfish as long as their not aggressive. I would suggest to stay away from the oscars. For instance, a single male beta fish, placasumis(bottom feeder), albino frog. Just remember you don't want to crowd the tank, and goldfish can get pretty big!

Answer 9

your tank is already overcrowded. the only thing you can keep with goldfish is -more goldfish.
have less fish or a bigger tank.

Answer 10

i dont think u can keep any other fishes with ur goldfishes but ask ur local vet~