Fish Compatability?

Question

I have 7 neon tetras, 3 spotted corydora catfish, a pleco, a pearlscale goldfish, and a red caped oranda goldfish. I also have a betta but he had to be removed from the tank because I bought a gourami that he attacked. The gourami is netted in my tank currently because he attacks the pearlscale and I am getting another tank tomorrow to put him in. ANYWAY I was wondering if there were any other SMALL colorful fish that would go along with the fish I have. I may also try putting my betta back in the tank after the gourami is out to see if he will be ok with the goldfish do you think they will get along or no? The pearlscale is yellow and the red cap is just white and red is this to colorful with the betta? thanks for the help!

Answer 1

The goldfish are technically coldwater fish while your other fish are tropical and require heated water. Neon tetras live in temperatures from 68 - 79 degrees; plecos from 66 - 82 degrees; betta from 75 - 82; corys from 72 - 80; gouramis average from 75 - 82 (you weren't specific on the type). If you keep the tank at 75 degrees or so you should be fine. Goldfish aren't territorial nor aggressive and when raised around other fish will be compatible, even as the get much bigger. You haven't stated the size of your tank but the 2 goldfish require a minimum of 20 gallons alone. This is due to their eventual size (the oranda can get to 8" and the pearlscale can get up to 14"!!!) and the high output of ammonia they produce. The common pleco can get up to 2 feet long so I hope you have a tank to accomodate these as adult fish and not have them stunted.
Goldfish should be in a species only tank but the recommended tankmates can include the golden apple snail, white cloud minnows, pleco, some types of oto catfish. Your pleco and 2 goldfish are going to really put a load on your tank.
Bettas aren't attracted to the color of fish. They are attracted by finnage. Flowing fins make a betta think it may be another male invading his territory. In addition, other anabantoids (gourami, paradise fish, etc), are sometimes seen as invaders into the territory.

Answer 2

Goldfish are coldwater fish that cannot ever be kept with tropical fish like Bettas, Gouramis, Corrys, Tetras, or Plecos. Because you are keeping Goldfish in a tropical tank, you are actually killing them. Gouramis and Bettas fight because Bettas are actually in the Gourami family. I am not sure your tank is large enough for the fish you have so this is my suggestion:

Put the Betta in a large fish bowl (2 gallon minimum). Keep the Gourami, Tetras, and Corrys in the current tank. Get rid of the Pleco (it will get close to 2 feet long!). Move the Goldfish to the new tank. The 2 Goldfish will need 30+ gallons of water (Goldfish get 8+ inches long!). For the tropicals (Gourami, Tetras, Corrys), those numbers of those fish will need a 10 gallon tank (which it sounds like you have them in now.) You may just think about giving away the Goldfish... they are very messy (and you won't need the extra tank). If you want the extra tank anyway, put the Betta, some Minnows or Cardinal Tetras, and again, some Corrys (maybe a different type of Corry). This will also require a 10 gallon tank. Then you will have 2 nice looking 10 gallon tanks! Good luck! If you have any questions, email me at [e-mail].

Nosoop4u

Answer 3

What size tank? That has a bearing on how many and what kind of fish you can have! You have alot of fish now!
1> The gold fish should be in a tank by themselves! Not with tropical fish they are cool water fish and carry parasites that can kill your tropicals. They do so much better when kept in cool water tanks! They become more colorful and their fins get showy. Also they are messy and can foul the tank in a minute! Basicly they are fancy carp!
2>The neons and catfish are ok together. The pleco is too but they can get really big! (as in FEET) They also are very touchy with water parameters as they don't have scales they have skin. Neons are also touchy about water quality so make sure to keep up with your tank maintenance
3>Male betta can be kept in a community tank or a small tank alone.Wild betta live in puddles in Tailand and can handle almost any condtions except cold! Betta can extract oxygen from the air if there isn't enough in the water and can live where other fish would die.They jump from puddle to puddle when they can't live in thier current home so keep the tank covered! My thought on the attack might be for what ever reason he thinks there is another male betta in the tank. Or he sees this other fish as a threat to his space and food so he attacked. Another thought might be he was just letting that fish know who is boss! in that case turning out the lights or rearranging the decore might calm the Betta down.
4> small fish to keep with the neons ect.. Danios, other non agressive tetras, white clouds, ect. Danios come in lots of types and in a small school are very active.Get odd numbers and the schooling behavior really kicks in. The neons might even join in but they are more shy and need good hiding places.

I would go to a reputable fish store and observe for a while before making up your mind. BTW if they know their fish gold fish are only with gold fish! Ask questions and read up on what your thinking about getting before you buy that way you'll avoid the problems your having now!

hope that helps!

Answer 4

Goldfish do best in a tank of goldfish kept at a temperature of 60-74 degrees with a lot of swimming room.

If you have a Dwarf gourami it can be kept with your neons, cats and plecos. All of these fish prefer warmer climates and similar Ph balances.

Your betta will do best if you isolate him. Gourami's & Betta's are cousins and so they will not get along.

Make sure your fish have plenty of room to grow and swim. Good luck!

Answer 5

What size tank do you have?

Goldfish aren't really compatible with tropicals at all, since you must have them in a heated tank and they do best and live longest in cooler water. Plus they would (should) massively outgrow your other fish and cause further problems (they need big tanks, and don't grow to their environment - it's called stunting and stunts their lives too). I've heard of people sticking betta's with goldfish, but that doesn't mean it's the best thing to do, but then, I'd only keep them in a large cold water tank in the first place.

Answer 6

I'm not surprised that the pearscale attacks your gourami
The goldfisches have no business beeing in a tropical tank
goldfish are coldwater fish and not tropical and are not going to survive very long in there
They should be kept at room temperature
I think the betta should be fine with the goldfish, but even he likes it better in a tropical warmwater tank


Hope that helps
Good luck


EB