Goldfish vs. Cichlids

[dhanks]

Thank you guys/gals so much. I'm not sure what kind of filters I use because my Hubby kinda took over when we first got the tank a while back. I just graduated with my PhD and now have the time to reclaim MY hobby. LOL.

I really want a variety of goldfish, but I need to learn how to maintain the tank for myself before I go to that. I hate being a bad fish parent.

And one more quick question: Was the pet store guy correct that with a variety of goldfish, I can also add snails, frogs, and a sucker fish?

All of your comments have been so helpful. Although I don't the answers to some of your questions, at least I know what I need to know! That is important!

THANKS!!

 

[Lupin]

I would advise against any frogs. Goldfish tend to pick some creatures around that they might damage the skin of the frogs making the frogs more prone to secondary infections. African dwarf frogs are poor sighted so I would not be surprised if they waste away since they cannot get their share of foods considering goldfish are quite greedy eaters. African clawed frogs, on the other hand, are predatory in nature and can reach 4-5 inches in size. They might harm your fish so it is not worth the risk in the end.

As for snails, I successfully kept the adult apple snails with my goldfish but the babies were not entirely happy at being plucked, chewed and then spat by the goldfish. I tried to place my black ranchu Loco with them and the snails refused to come out of the gravel since so I decided to move Loco to another tank and the baby snails appeared almost immediately looking more satisfied without a nosy fish disturbing and pushing them around.

As for sucker fish, please be sure to research this one carefully. You need to avoid as much as possible large species of plecos and Chinese algae eaters. If you are not familiar with plecos, ask your store permission to get some photos for you to post them here and let us identify. See if the particular species is approved as a good tankmate for the goldfish. The only plecos I tried successfully are my Rineloricaria parva and long-finned bristlenose pleco. My bristlenose pleco is female. I try to avoid males as much as possible because in my experience, males tend to be territorial. My last male BN terrorized my discus completely as they kept trespassing his territory. As much as possible, stick to plecos that will grow no more than 6 inches only. Some may require driftwood in their diet as well as vegetable matter.

Could you please point out which goldfish you like best? It is time we find out what you like best so we can prepare more recommendations ahead of your plans to buy your favorite fish. Have a gander on this link to see which you like best.
http://www.exoticgoldfish.net/breeds.html