2007-03-20 09:36:18 · 10 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Fish
Dear Jess,
There are a few species that can live peaceably with goldfish. Here are some fish which should do very well with your goldfish.
Dojo or 'weather' loach
These cute and interesting loaches make fine tankmates for goldfish. They grow to 7 inches or more and are mottled brownish in color with a slim body frame almost eel like. Dojos are also from the area goldfish originated from in china...and do well in cooler temperatures that goldfish prefer. They are called Weather loaches also because it is said that they will react to barometric pressure that comes just before a storm. Dojo also means "house" in either Japanese or Chinese (sorry I cannot remember)
Hillstream Loach
These tiny pan-cake like fish are very unique in the goldfish aquarium. They behave much like plecos by attaching themselves to the glass or decor. They resemble sting-rays in a way but stay small.
Bristlenose Plecostomus
Also known as Ancistrus catfish. The bristle nose is far from the ordinary pleco with great long bristles covering their nose and giving a very unique and interesting appearance. They are also fine in cooler water --but no extremes please-- and provide the plus of not eating plants, will not grow large, and are good algae eaters overall.
Rubbernose pleco
Another fish somewhat resembling the Bristlenose but of course without the bristles. They can thrive in cooler water but as with the bristlenose, extremes are best avoided. These plecs grow to at the most of 4 inches.
Apple snails or 'Mystery' snails
These are great little none-fish creatures that do well with goldfish and are fun to watch. Beware they will eat plants faster than goldfish will.
White cloud Mountain Minnow
These little plain and fancy fish are often recommended for goldfish. They originated from chinese streams and live in similar conditions to goldfish. But sometimes goldfish may mistake them for food. Especially if the goldfish are large.
Finally, remember that the best tankmates for Goldfish are in fact other goldfish that are of the same or very similiar variety. But these fish are tried and true methods that should work out well.
I really hope this helps! Feel free to write with any concerns.
Best wishes
2007-03-21 05:52:22 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 1⤋
Goldfish should be kept with other cold water fish. There are plenty of those (including plecos). They are also very hardy and can easily adapt to the slightly higher temperature of a tropical tank. Keep in mind that fish in backyard ponds live in water at temperatures from the 40s to 90s depending on the season.
Having said that, they are still better off kept to themselves. As has already been mentioned, there are many types and colors to choose from but they are all very messy and don't fit the old 1" per gallon rule. Someone mentioned 3" per gallon. Another is 30 gallon for the first goldfish and 10 gallons for each additional goldfish. That doesn't seem like a lot of fish for a tank (50 gallon tank would only be 3 fish) but they get big (over a foot long) and are pooping machines.
2007-03-20 17:39:03 · answer #2 · answered by rdd1952 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Since Goldfish are primarily a cold water fish you would think your choices are almost non-existent. However, that is not true.
Since Goldfish will still thrive up to around 76 degrees there are a number of fish that are classified tropical but will also do well. I kept a Pleco, Blue Channel Cat and a couple of Brochis (catfish) in my pond with them and they all made the transition to an inside tank when I shut it down. When a child I kept Corys (smaller catfish) with them in my very first tank and they did well. I see Balas mentioned and they might be okay. I have no personal experience with them.
Others have mentioned the plethora of Goldfish species available to you and you should keep mainly goldfish together. However, a little research and you will be able to find the proper species of catfish or plecos that will help with waste and be able to tolerate or thrive in cooler water.
Good luck to you.
2007-03-20 19:28:49 · answer #3 · answered by chaos_and_amber2 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Only goldfish can go with goldfish. Not even a pleco. However there are many breeds of goldfish and the are every color under the sun. Each has unique characteristics and no two look alike! Check out www.goldfishconnection.com for what all the varieties out there look like! They are amazing fish.
2007-03-20 17:23:46 · answer #4 · answered by Sunday P 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Goldfish are great with other goldfish! Sucker fishes are good too. DONT put a school of tiny fish with them, because they will eat the goldfishes eye out.
2007-03-20 16:43:47 · answer #5 · answered by Myself 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
hmmm flathead catfish, large mouth bass, blue catfish, channel catfish, red drum, most all these will be very happy if you had lots of goldfish for them to eat
2007-03-20 23:48:28 · answer #6 · answered by shadowhunter_1599 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Only goldfish. 3 gallons per inch, not including tail.
2007-03-20 16:53:54 · answer #7 · answered by JJB 4 · 1⤊ 2⤋
I recommend only Goldfish.And NEVER put Tiger Barbs with them.
2007-03-20 16:38:59 · answer #8 · answered by James The Cook 1 · 0⤊ 2⤋
wJust another goldfish but don't do it with a betta or.... you will have no goldfish!
2007-03-24 15:37:03 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
well, bala sharks, clown loaches and tetra r good choices for goldfish mates.
2007-03-20 16:39:49 · answer #10 · answered by waverunner 500 1 · 0⤊ 4⤋