Goldfish and cichlids

[Malbri]

I was talking to someone in chat, and s/he mentioned something about her/his father keeping cichlids and goldfish together, and that he doesnt understand that they cannot be kept together. Can you guys do us a favor and explain why they cannot be kept together, so then s/he can show her/his dad and hopefully convince him to seperate them.

 

[Mgamer20o0]

goldfish is cold water and cichlids are tropical. they need different water temperatures simple as that.

 

[Rbishop]

There are frequently confused statements made in our hobby.

Often, when singular statements are broadcast, the wrong conclusion can be derived.

Even if temp ranges overlap, we might not be providing preferred living conditions to our guests.

There are things we control that can maximize the lifespan of our pets and minimize stressful conditions.

 

[Pagan]

Worst case scenario, depending on the kind of cichlids, the goldfish could become lunch even if it's bigger then them.

Best case, one or the other will lead a short and uncomfortable life, depending on the water chemistry.

 

[jm1212]

they both require different temperatures and diets.

cichlids often eat goldies anyway

 

[SidRizal]

goldfish are dirty

 

[johnlarson66]

Goldfish in tropical water.

Really what is the downside? How much stress does this cause? How much does this shorten their lives? Instead of 10 years will it live 8? What will be the visable signs that they are not thriving in tropical water?

The reason I ask this is that I have a tank with fancy goldfish and 2 angels. They all eat flakes and everyone seems to get plenty.

Besides the tempature, I really do not see the issue. I have it at 74 and the heater does not kck in a whole lot anyway.

This tank is my wifes. The other three she let me do what I wanted (and spend what I wanted), so if the few have to suffer for the others, so be it.

Three months into it and all is well.

When should I expect problems?

 

[Flaringshutter]

My angel became extremely aggressive at about 2 years, after living peacefully with my goldfish the whole time. It was a mistake made before doing the proper research, and when they seemed to get along i thought I was in the clear. Then i found myself having to find a new home for a gorgeous white and gold angelfish that I was rather attached to, after he started chasing the goldfish around tearing scales off of them.

Angels often seem to be peaceful when they are young, and then once they mature they show their cichlid aggressiveness.

As to temp, I keep my goldfish at about 72, have for three years, and they are thriving. Goldfish survive at a wide variety of temperatures, and although excessively high temps, up into the low 80s, can severely stress fish, mine show absolutely no signs of stress until the temps move up past 79 or 80.

 

[Bauglir Morgoth]

I once heard a story about a guy that had a feeder goldfish survive the feeding process and live peacefully with a black belt cichlid for a few years. He took the cichlid to a show and it killed goldfish. Who knows why they got along, but the fact of the matter is that the goldfish died in the end. Not to mention, why would anyone want to keep goldfish and cichlids together?

 

[TheMightyQueenPixie]

I think the biggest detriment to our hobby is the misconception between surviving and thriving.