Can you keep goldfish with freshwater tropical fish?

also, a 20 gallon tank is too small for two goldfish.

two fancy (fantails) need about 45 gallons and double filtration, and two comets need about 60-70 gallons and double filtration.
 
The compatibility chart I've seen basically says goldfish are a no no with almost all the tropicals. Some of the catfish are ok, which would explain the SAE.

Ideally, you would give your goldfish their optimum habitat of coldwater and lots of room and your tropicals their ideal habitat of warmer water. We all know it's not an ideal world though.

If you are going to keep your goldies with a couple tropicals I would get a bigger tank so that you can more closely monitor the temp. A smaller tank fluctuates too much and is going to make EVERYONE miserable. Get at least a 29g, keep the temp at 76ish. Not ideal but tolerable.

Better yet, use the 20g for your tropicals and get a bigger tank just for your goldies.
 
I've had for about 2 yrs now a heated tank with koi and goldfish. They both live together and seem happy and healthy.
 
I assume you could keep goldfish and tropicals together but I doubt the goldfish will be that happy. According to Dr. Erik Johnson of Koivet, the optimum temperature to keep goldfish is 75* F (Even though they like cold water the warmer water boosts their immune system and metabolism) which can be tolerated by most tropical species. The one thing I will be concerned about is the fact that goldfish have long flowing fins which could be mistaken for a snack by a hungry fish.
 
I love Goldfish, but I would not put them in my community tank, they are like a poop machine set on full out open all the time.

I have read that a Pl*eco can be put in the same tank and do alright, but thats like dropping a porta potti in the tank also...

I think Goldfish need to be kept with other goldfish only. I even think that they could and would eat smaller tropicals if given the chance, they are very aggressive eaters.
 
Keeping goldfish in warm water will reduce their life spans. You can keep them for 5 years, but they should live 14. This is a long term problem. You will not see that right away.

I had a misterious dissapereance of a small baby corycat. Presumable, it's in the goldfish guts right now.

Note: Where I live, no matter how cold the weather is, water will not go bellow 70F, so i'm not really keeping them in coldwater, so I'm not expecting to give them a full life span. :sad:
 
Higher temperature increases the fishes' metabolism, which will decrease the fishes' lifespan. Higher temperature also decreases the oxygen level in the water, and goldfishes require alot of oxygen. It's very possible to keep goldfishes in higher temperature for many years with them appearing to be in perfect health, but remember that goldfishes can live for decades. It comes down to whether or not you want to keep the fishes in its ideal habitat to ensure optimal health.
 
Didja know that Dojo or weather loaches are actually cool water fishes?

I didn't know this until recently when I was looking for something to throw in with my son's goldfishes. I was going to buy one for my 75gs, but keeping them at anything above 76-77* shortens their lifespan. Just like a goldfish.

Just a thought
A thing to ponder
I've said what I said
So now I wander

Roan
 
fIsHy13 said:
Thats the thing, pophead. Some people go against it like crazy, while others say its a good idea and it works. I'm confused...what advice should I believe in? :confused:
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you don't have to believe everything you hear, even from this forum! EVEN FROM ME! lol :p: try researching for yourself beit on this website or @ others.


Hez Yeux said:
I've had for about 2 yrs now a heated tank with koi and goldfish. They both live together and seem happy and healthy.
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both koi and goldfish are cool or coldwater, though.
 
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