Large Goldfish and Gourami Fish?

Question

I have recently gotten a 10 gallon aquarium and my children picked out their fish. I have one large goldfish and a Gourami Fish, I am wanting to know if these two fish are compatiable in this size of aquarium or if I need to by a smaller aquarium for the Gourami Fish.

Thank you for your answer, the goldfish is about 4" inches in length and the Gourami Fish is about 1" inch in length, and i have an algea eater that is about and 1" inch in length as well, i have a heater and a filter which uses a bio-bag. My concern is if these two fish the gold fish and the gourami fish are compatiable in the tank, so far everything seems to be fine.

It is not like i did not research on what fish to get, the pet store said the goldfish would be fine in 10 gallon tank that had a heater and as long as it didn't go above 72 degrees, the tank is at that 72 degrees. Just a reminder, these are my children's fish. They lost their fish which was 2 years old yesterday. I am only trying to make my children happy, the Gourami Fish is not that big right now. I plan to get another aquarium if need be.

I cannot remember the name of the algae eater, it is a black and white speckled algae eater.

Concerning the goldfish we returned it to the store tonight, as it was trying to nibble on the gourami fish, we went back to the store, and got a neon tetra, very small. Along with another algae eater as a companion for the other one. We also got another tropical fish, that is compatiable with both the gourami fish and the small neon tetra. Thank you for answering and voicing your opinions.

the gourami fish is a male dwarf gourami, with orange stripes and has a turqoise color.

Answer 1

Hi Barbara. Unfortunately the people at the pet stores rarely have any vast knowledge about fish. IF they did, they would have never dreamed of telling you that a gourami and goldfish would be fine in a 10 gallon tank. And if they really think this, they should be fired.

The gourami, although you didn't say what type, can usually be comfy in water from 75-80 degrees. Goldfish will be ok in 75 degree water for the time being (I prefer around 70'ish for my inside goldfish, not that I adjust it in any way, it's just about how the tank stays).

You didn't say what type of goldfish you have either. There are different types that get different sizes. But no matter what type of goldfish you have, he will soon be outgrowing the 10 gallon tank. It is recommended that you have no less then 20 gallons per single goldfish because of the size they get AND the waste they produce. These guys are appropriately nicknamed "Pigfish" because of the amount of waste they produce. You need superior filtration and a great tank maintenance schedule to keep a goldfish happy and healthy. And this waste will quickly kill the gourami. Not to mention that when the goldfish gets bigger he may decide that the gourami looks like a good meal. It's just nature. On the other hand, the gourami could be the aggressor and go after the goldfish until the goldfish gets a little bigger.

Bottom line is these guys will not be able to co-habit for too long without one of them succumbing to either the other fish or tank conditions. That's the cut and dry of it. It to me seems that something didn't "sound quite right" to you or you wouldn't have written your question to ask about it, right? So I commend you for asking. And even though you are not hearing what you want to hear (I'm sure), it IS the truth and what we are trying to tell you can be the difference between the kids losing 2 more fish on top of the one they recently lost. And I'm sure you don't want that to happen.

My suggestion to you would be to research these fish individually and see what exactly they need to survive and thrive. X-mas being around the corner, maybe the goldfish could ask for a new 20 gallon tank with a great filter?? And the gourami would be quite fine in the 10 gallon tank and perhaps you could get him a couple of friends? (Just a thought). There are snails, shrimps, fiddler crabs, other small fish all that would get along fine in the 10 gallon tank. Just don't go overboard and make sure you check things out before purchasing them, as gourami's can be a little tempermental and territorial (depending on what type you have). Any fish loves little hiding spots and some plants too.

Again, I know this isn't what you want to hear, but I really am trying to help. If anyone tells you that this is "ok" to do, please please don't believe them. If you'd like, send me an e-mail and I'd be happy to provide you with a bunch of links that may be helpful to you.

I hope this helps you in some way.

Good luck!!! ;o)

PS: About the Oto catfish....misconception about groups. In a small tank (10 gallon) 1 or 2 would be a fine addition. Groups are not necessary.

Answer 2

that's cautioned which you have a million-2 goldfish consistent with 20 gallon of water because of the size that goldfish gets and the quantity of waste it may produce. It seems such as you have an entire tank. you may desire to easily commence yet another tank besides. Kissing fish are tropical fish and goldfish do suitable in known temp. water. A small 10 gallon tank (finished setup with ornament, hood, heater, filter out and fish) for kissing fish value approximately eighty money.

Answer 3

no. goldfish are coldwater fish, gouramis are tropical. the goldfish has the potential to grow large enough to either bully the gourami, nibble it's ventrals (the long feelers) or even eat it!

you can't keep both together in the long term.

gouramis need a minimum of 10 US gallons depending on what species you have, honey gouramis will cope in 10 US gallons as will sparking gouramis. dwarf gouramis and ones that grow over 3" need larger tanks.

goldfish need a minimum of 15-20 US gallons to grow, commons can get over 1ft long and need to go into a pond in the long term, fancies grow to 8"-10" and need a minimum of 20 US gallons in the long term. they also need heavily filtered and oxygenated tanks, whereas gouramis don't like strong currents and due to a labryinth lung which allows them to breath from the surface, have no need of heavily aerated water either.

you need to decide on one or the other, and which ever you choose to keep, research its every need! research should always be done BEFORE you buy fish as they are not the easy peasy pets initially they get made out to be.

EDIT: What kind of algae eater? All "algae eaters" are tropical. Pleco catfish will all grow too large for a 10 gallon. Otocinclus are fine for a 10 gallon but need to be in groups and will only thrive in mature tanks. If you have a Chinese Algae Eater he will switch from eating algae to eating slime coats and eyeballs when he reaches 4" long.

Answer 4

specify what kind of goldfish and gourami do you have anyways. the giant gourami will grow bigger than your largest goldfish. i want to share something with you, i have a small balcony outside my bedroom in my house in manila,philippines. on the balcony i have several plastic vats ranging from 30 gallons to 150 gallons in which i have angels, goldfish, barbs mollies, and other tropical fish.these are all sitting outside in the open sun where the water temperature went so high it was actually warm to the touch like in a spa. righjt now its the cool part of the year and water temperature is around 72 degrees. the fish have been there for three years rain or shine or earthquake.. my goldfish rush to the top for food whether its 100degrees outside or its the middle of a tropical storm. just to give you an idea of how tough goldfish really are. just get a bigger tank.


now they're gonna attack me. hahaha

Answer 5

I have had both only not in the same tank. Both can be territorial in the worst way. Recently I had 2 Gouramis in a community tank that became the bosses of the tank they got larger than the other fish and began to bully them cause some deaths. I separated them and had no problems after that. I had a goldfish who also grew larger than the other fish witht the same results. My advice is this, if both fish are the same approx. the same size and are both new to the tank at the same time, there is a good chance that there will be no problem. It seems impossible to tell though it really ends up just luck in most cases.

Answer 6

All I can say is that my gouramies attack all the other fish that I have tried to put with it, they are in there own tank now, I gave up!

Answer 7

This is a bad combination. Because the tropicals need a warmer tank,the Goldfish needs a larger tank,the Goldfish is a super poo producer, and how much research can you do without learning the names of all of the species you are torturing.

Answer 8

1 gallon of water, for every inch of fish.
A 10 Galon tank will hold with out stressing fish, 10 1in fish. REMEMBER rocks/gravle take up space
I hace a 20 Galon tall with onlu 14.5 Gal of water because of the rock structer I have and gravle So I can only have 14 fish each can only be 1 In in leingth. If I have more I will have not enough Oxygen, and be over stressed and he fisk will die