Tank mates by speciesTM-08
Goldfish Tank Mates: 22 Species Rated ○△× with Reasons, plus Tropical Fish, Shrimp, Medaka, Cleaners and Goldfish Varieties
Small fish and shrimp that fit in a goldfish's mouth are ×. The safe partner is the nerite snail, and tropical fish are △ because of heater needs.
In this article (15 sections)
- In short: which animals are safe tank mates for goldfish?
- Why are so many goldfish tank mates ×?
- In what order should you check goldfish tank mates?
- Can goldfish live with tropical fish?
- Can goldfish live with shrimp?
- What should you choose as an algae eater or cleaner for goldfish?
- Can goldfish live with medaka?
- When goldfish share a tank with other goldfish, what changes with the variety?
- How should you think about tank size for goldfish tank mates?
- What should you do before adding tank mates for goldfish?
- What are common mistakes with goldfish tank mates?
- What terms come up with goldfish tank mates?
- What else goes with goldfish tank mates?
- Sources
In short: which animals are safe tank mates for goldfish?
Of the 22 species in the table, the safe goldfish tank mate is the nerite snail. Small fish and shrimp that fit in the goldfish's mouth are ×, and most others are △.
Goldfish have big mouths and big appetites. GEX describes the goldfish as a hard fish to keep with other fish.
The trouble is that each guide names different partners as safe. This site works out compatibility from care data for 22 species and shows it with reasons.
What this article covers:
- Compatibility with 22 species, and why some pairs are × or △
- How to think about heaters and size when pairing with tropical fish
- Pairing with shrimp and medaka
- Choosing algae eaters and cleaners
- Goldfish with other goldfish, and tank size
○ Generally compatible (1)
- Nerite snail
△ With care (9)
- GuppyGuppy is a tropical fish that needs a heater; Goldfish does not
- PlatyPlaty is a tropical fish that needs a heater; Goldfish does not
- Peppered coryPeppered cory is a tropical fish that needs a heater; Goldfish does not
- Zebra danioListed as a goldfish tank mate, provided it is too big for the goldfish's mouth (RSPCA Australia (goldfish care)) / Zebra danio is a tropical fish that needs a heater; Goldfish does not
- Tiger barbTiger barb is a tropical fish that needs a heater; Goldfish does not / Tiger barb may nip other fish's fins
- Dwarf gouramiDwarf gourami is a tropical fish that needs a heater; Goldfish does not
- Kuhli loachKuhli loach is a tropical fish that needs a heater; Goldfish does not
- Bristlenose plecoBristlenose pleco is a tropical fish that needs a heater; Goldfish does not
- MedakaListed as a goldfish tank mate, provided it is too big for the goldfish's mouth (RSPCA Australia (goldfish care))
× Not recommended (12)
- Neon tetraNeon tetra is small enough for Goldfish to eat / Neon tetra is a tropical fish that needs a heater; Goldfish does not
- Cardinal tetraCardinal tetra is small enough for Goldfish to eat / Temperature overlap is narrow (23–24°C) / Cardinal tetra is a tropical fish that needs a heater; Goldfish does not
- Rummy-nose tetraRummy-nose tetra is small enough for Goldfish to eat / Temperature overlap is narrow (23–24°C) / Rummy-nose tetra is a tropical fish that needs a heater; Goldfish does not
- Betta (male)Betta (male) is aggressive and chases other fish / Betta (male) is a tropical fish that needs a heater; Goldfish does not
- AngelfishNo overlap in temperature (Angelfish 24–30°C, Goldfish 20–24°C) / Angelfish is a tropical fish that needs a heater; Goldfish does not
- Panda coryPanda cory is small enough for Goldfish to eat / Panda cory is a tropical fish that needs a heater; Goldfish does not
- OtocinclusOtocinclus is small enough for Goldfish to eat / Otocinclus is a tropical fish that needs a heater; Goldfish does not
- Harlequin rasboraHarlequin rasbora is small enough for Goldfish to eat / Harlequin rasbora is a tropical fish that needs a heater; Goldfish does not
- Cherry barbCherry barb is small enough for Goldfish to eat / Cherry barb is a tropical fish that needs a heater; Goldfish does not
- Japanese swamp shrimpGoldfish eats Japanese swamp shrimp / Temperature overlap is narrow (23–24°C)
- Cherry shrimpDo not keep shrimp with medium to large fish such as goldfish (Aquarium Co-Op (Cherry shrimp tank mates)) / Goldfish eats Cherry shrimp
- Amano shrimpGoldfish are big enough to eat Amano shrimp (Aquarium Co-Op (Amano shrimp)) / Goldfish eats Amano shrimp
Source: Judged by this site's rules from the care data of each species (see the sources of the care data table)
The list above, grouped by result:
| Result | Partners | Main reason |
|---|---|---|
| ○ Easy to keep together | Nerite snail | Neither eats the other |
| △ With conditions | 9 species such as the guppy, platy, medaka and bristlenose pleco | Heater needs differ, or the partner must be larger than the goldfish's mouth |
| × Not suitable | 12 species such as the neon tetra, panda corydoras and Neocaridina shrimp | Small enough to swallow, or the goldfish eats shrimp |
The key point: for goldfish, whether the partner fits in the goldfish's mouth almost decides the answer.
Why are so many goldfish tank mates ×?
Because goldfish have big mouths and eat fish and shrimp small enough to fit in them. RSPCA limits partners to fish larger than the goldfish's mouth.
RSPCA (an Australian animal welfare group) says goldfish are usually not aggressive. Even so, its condition for partners is "larger than the goldfish's mouth."
The 12 × species, split by reason:
| Partner | Why × |
|---|---|
| Neon tetra, cardinal tetra, rummy-nose tetra | Small enough to fit in a goldfish's mouth |
| Harlequin rasbora, cherry barb, otocinclus | Small enough to fit in a goldfish's mouth |
| Panda corydoras | Small enough to fit in a goldfish's mouth |
| Neocaridina shrimp, red cherry shrimp, Amano shrimp | Goldfish eat shrimp |
| Betta (male) | Aggressive, and chases other fish |
| Angelfish | Temperatures do not overlap |
This site treats a fish half the goldfish's body size or smaller as small enough to swallow. That is a rule of this site's calculation, not a figure from a source.
Goldfish grow bigger than when you bought them. Think about the mouth they will have once grown, not their size today.
For × partners, more hiding places do not remove the reason, so the shortcut is never to add them.
In what order should you check goldfish tank mates?
Check goldfish tank mates in this order: temperature, mouth size, temperament, then shrimp. Most × partners fail at the second step, mouth size.
Applied to goldfish, the four steps look like this.
| What to check | For goldfish | Partners that fail |
|---|---|---|
| Do temperatures overlap? | Suitable temperature is in the table. No heater needed | All tropical fish (△ or ×) |
| A size gap big enough to swallow | Big mouth, on the eating side | Small tetras, rasboras, otocinclus |
| Fin nipping and temperament | Usually not aggressive | Betta (male), tiger barb |
| Does it eat shrimp? | Eats adult shrimp too | All three shrimp |
The order matters. Even if temperatures match, a partner that fits in the mouth cannot live long in the same tank.
For goldfish, checking mouth size right after temperature removes almost every × partner.
Can goldfish live with tropical fish?
Goldfish with tropical fish are △ or ×. Even tropical fish too big to swallow are △, because their heater needs differ.
Search suggestions show "tropical fish that can live with goldfish" and "goldfish neon tetra."
| Species | Adult size (cm) | Temperature (°C) | Swimming level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Neon tetra | 4 | 21–25 | Middle |
| Guppy | 6 | 17–28 | Top |
| Platy | 6 | 20–26 | Top |
| Panda cory | 5 | 22–25 | Bottom |
| Peppered cory | 7 | 22–26 | Bottom |
| Zebra danio | 5 | 18–25 | Middle |
| Goldfish | 10 | 20–24 | Middle |
Source (7)
As the table shows, the goldfish's suitable temperature overlaps with that of many tropical fish. But goldfish need no heater, while tropical fish do.
| Result | Tropical fish | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| △ | Guppy, platy, zebra danio, dwarf gourami | Too big to swallow, but heater needs differ |
| △ | Peppered corydoras, kuhli loach, bristlenose pleco | They live on the bottom, but heater needs differ |
| △ | Tiger barb | Different heater needs, and it sometimes nips fins |
| × | Neon tetra, cardinal tetra, panda corydoras | Small enough to fit in a goldfish's mouth |
| × | Betta (male), angelfish | Chases other fish, or temperatures do not overlap |
Some shop guides name neon tetras or corydoras as partners for goldfish. In this site's calculation, neon tetras and panda corydoras are × because they are small enough to swallow.
RSPCA warns about long-finned goldfish varieties. Do not keep them with fin nippers such as the tiger barb.
If you pair goldfish with tropical fish, first make sure the partner is too big to swallow, and decide how you will set the temperature. Tropical fish on the bottom are covered in Corydoras Tank Mates.
Can goldfish live with shrimp?
Goldfish with shrimp are ×. Neocaridina shrimp, red cherry shrimp and Amano shrimp all get eaten by goldfish.
Search suggestions show "shrimp that can live with goldfish" and "goldfish medaka shrimp tank mates."
Aquarium Co-Op, a US specialist shop, leaves goldfish off its list of shrimp tank mates. It says not to keep shrimp with medium or larger fish such as goldfish.
The same shop's guide to Amano shrimp also lists goldfish as fish big enough to eat shrimp.
| Shrimp | With goldfish | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Neocaridina shrimp | × | Goldfish eat them |
| Red cherry shrimp | × | Goldfish eat them |
| Amano shrimp | × | Even these larger shrimp get eaten |
If you are tempted to add shrimp for algae, think about the nerite snail first. The nerite snail is the one that is ○ with goldfish.
If you want to keep shrimp, use a tank separate from goldfish. Compatibility from the shrimp's side is in Shrimp Tank Mates.
What should you choose as an algae eater or cleaner for goldfish?
For algae in a goldfish tank, you can choose the nerite snail. Of the 22 species in the table, it is the only one that is ○ with goldfish.
Search suggestions show "goldfish tank mates algae eaters" and "nerite snail with goldfish."
GEX says goldfish do not attack snails, so you can keep them together with peace of mind. It also writes that snails that are too small can get bullied by goldfish.
| Cleaner | With goldfish | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Nerite snail | ○ | Rarely attacked by goldfish. No baby snails hatch in the tank |
| Bristlenose pleco | △ | Heater needs differ |
| Peppered corydoras | △ | Heater needs differ |
| Otocinclus | × | Small enough to fit in a goldfish's mouth |
| Amano shrimp | × | Goldfish eat it |
Tokyo Aqua Garden says nerite snails sometimes flip over. If you find one on its back, turn it upright.
For a goldfish tank cleaner, start with the nerite snail and you will make fewer mistakes.
Can goldfish live with medaka?
Goldfish with medaka are △ (with conditions). The condition is that the medaka is larger than the goldfish's mouth, and that breaks down as the goldfish grows.
Search suggestions show "can goldfish and medaka live together" and "medaka goldfish biotope."
RSPCA names the golden medaka as a partner for goldfish in a smaller tank. The condition is that the partner is larger than the goldfish's mouth.
On the other hand, some specialist shops in Japan list goldfish as unsuitable partners, because goldfish sometimes eat medaka.
| Species | Adult size (cm) | Temperature (°C) | Swimming level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medaka | 4 | 16–22 | Top |
| Goldfish | 10 | 20–24 | Middle |
Source: Seriously Fish (Oryzias latipes) / RSPCA Australia: How should I care for my goldfish?
As the table shows, adult goldfish grow much larger than medaka. Neither needs a heater, so matching temperatures is easy.
Treat goldfish and medaka as a pair only while the goldfish is small, and have a separate tank ready. Compatibility from the medaka's side is in Medaka Tank Mates.
When goldfish share a tank with other goldfish, what changes with the variety?
Keep together varieties with similar swimming speed and body shape. GEX advises avoiding pairs such as wakin-type with ryukin-type goldfish.
These are the cautions about variety pairs from GEX and RSPCA.
| Pair | How to handle it | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Wakin type with ryukin type | Avoid | Different body shape, swimming speed and size (GEX) |
| Wakin with telescope eye (demekin) | Not a great match | They do not get along very well (GEX) |
| Special varieties such as the pearlscale "ping pong" | Not suited to tank mates | Hard to pair with other goldfish (GEX) |
| Unusual varieties such as the celestial eye | Keep with the same variety only | Poor at finding food and competing for it (RSPCA) |
| Long-finned varieties with fin nippers | Do not keep together | Their fins get nipped (RSPCA) |
RSPCA says that keeping two or more goldfish gives them company and makes them more active.
Tokyo Aqua Garden advises checking that food reaches shy fish too. At every feeding, check that slow-swimming varieties are getting food.
How should you think about tank size for goldfish tank mates?
Choose the tank based on fully grown goldfish. RSPCA recommends a tank of at least 50 liters.
These are the tank guidelines from RSPCA.
| Item | Guideline |
|---|---|
| Water volume | At least 50 liters |
| Tank length | At least 4 times the body length of an adult goldfish |
| Tank depth (front to back) | At least 2 times the body length |
| Tank height | At least 3 times the body length |
| Numbers and space | More fish need a bigger tank |
| Filtration | A filter sized for their heavy eating and waste |
| Goldfish bowl | Avoid. Too small for goldfish |
The same source recommends a filter with adjustable flow. If the current is too strong, varieties that swim poorly struggle.
Each time you add a tank mate, recheck that the tank is big enough.
What should you do before adding tank mates for goldfish?
Before adding tank mates, watch new animals in a separate tank first. A University of Florida guide recommends watching them for at least 30 days.
These are the steps from the University of Florida (UF/IFAS) guides, in order.
- Look up the partner's needs (size, temperature, heater)
- Do not choose animals that are weak or show signs of disease
- Watch new animals in a separate tank for at least 30 days
- Get them used to the main tank's water little by little, then release them
Goldfish eat a lot and produce a lot of waste. RSPCA recommends testing the water at these intervals.
| Period | What to test | How often |
|---|---|---|
| First 6 weeks after cycling a new tank | Ammonia, nitrite | Every 2 to 3 days |
| After that | Ammonia, nitrite, nitrate | Every 1 to 2 weeks |
Ammonia and nitrite are substances harmful to fish. They come from waste and leftover food.
Not putting new animals straight into the main tank does the most to prevent tank-mate failures.
What are common mistakes with goldfish tank mates?
There are three common mistakes: adding small fish that fit in the mouth, using shrimp as cleaners, and keeping the water heated for tropical fish.
| Common mistake | What happens | What to do instead |
|---|---|---|
| Adding small fish | Grown goldfish eat them | Choose partners larger than the mouth |
| Adding shrimp as cleaners | Goldfish eat them | Use nerite snails as cleaners |
| Keeping the water heated for tropical fish | Heater needs do not match | Use separate tanks |
| Mixing varieties that swim at different speeds | Slow varieties cannot get food | Keep varieties with similar body shapes |
| Keeping them in a goldfish bowl | Too small for goldfish | Use a tank of 50 liters or more |
| Adding new animals right away | Brings in disease | Watch them in another tank for at least 30 days |
If you see it is not working, separate the chaser or the weakened fish with another tank or a divider. The basic fix for a bad match is to separate them, not to make them put up with it.
What terms come up with goldfish tank mates?
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Tank mates (混泳) | Keeping different kinds of fish or shrimp together in the same tank |
| Wakin type (和金系) | Goldfish with long, slim bodies that swim fast |
| Ryukin type (琉金系) | Goldfish with round bodies that swim slowly |
| Heater (ヒーター) | A device that warms the water and keeps the temperature steady |
| Cleaner (掃除役) | An animal that eats algae and leftover food |
| Filter (ろ過器) | A device that circulates the water, strains out dirt and keeps it clean |
| Baby snails (稚貝) | Newborn, small snails |
| Quarantine tank (様子見の水槽) | A separate tank for new animals before they go into the main tank |
What else goes with goldfish tank mates?
Goldfish tank mates connect to compatibility with medaka, shrimp and tropical fish. Go on to the article for the partner you are curious about.
- Medaka: Medaka Tank Mates
- Shrimp and snails: Shrimp Tank Mates
- Tropical fish on the bottom: Corydoras Tank Mates
- All 22 species at once: Tropical Fish Tank Mates Chart
Tank mates by speciesMedaka Tank Mates: 22 Species Rated ○△× with Reasons, plus Tropical Fish, Shrimp, Nerite Snails, Goldfish and No HeaterMedaka tank mates for 22 species, rated ○△× with reasons. Three shrimp and the nerite snail are ○. Why tropical fish are △ or ×, goldfish, and outdoor ponds.
Shrimp and snailsWhich Fish Can Live with Shrimp? Neocaridina and Amano Ratings, Hiding Places, AcclimationShrimp tank mates rated ○△× with reasons for Neocaridina and Amano shrimp. Fish that eat baby shrimp vs adults, willow moss hiding places and acclimation steps.Tank-mate chartTropical Fish Tank Mates Chart: 23 Species Rated ○△× with Reasons, Safe Sets and MistakesCheck tropical fish tank mates in order: temperature, size, fins and temperament, then shrimp. A ○△× chart for 23 species with reasons, safe sets and mistakes.
Tank mates by speciesCorydoras Tank Mates: 22 Species Rated ○△×, Shrimp, Crowded Bottoms and How Many to KeepCorydoras tank mates for 22 species, rated ○△× with reasons. Bettas, medaka and goldfish are ×. Shrimp, sharing the bottom with plecos, and how many to keep.Frequently asked questions about goldfish tank mates
What animals can live with goldfish?
Of the 22 species in the table, the nerite snail is ○. Medaka, guppies, platies and others are △, with conditions.
If you are unsure, pick two species in the checker and read the reason.
Can goldfish live with neon tetras?
We do not recommend it. They are ×, and neon tetras are small enough to fit in a goldfish's mouth.
Goldfish need no heater, while neon tetras do. For temperature as well, separate tanks suit them.
Can goldfish live with Amano shrimp?
We do not recommend it. They are ×, and even the larger Amano shrimp get eaten by goldfish.
For algae, choose the ○ nerite snail.
Can goldfish live with corydoras?
Panda corydoras are ×, and peppered corydoras are △. Panda corydoras are small enough to fit in a goldfish's mouth.
Peppered corydoras also differ from goldfish in heater needs. As a bottom cleaner, the nerite snail is an easier partner.
Can goldfish live with weather loaches (dojo)?
Weather loaches are not among this site's 23 species, so we have not calculated their compatibility.
GEX says weather loaches live on the bottom, so they do not share space with goldfish. If you add them, giving them hiding places makes it safer.
Can goldfish live with plecos?
The bristlenose pleco is △. It pairs a fish that needs a heater with one that does not.
If you keep them together, hold the temperature inside the range where the two overlap.
Sources
- RSPCA Australia: How should I care for my goldfish? (usually not aggressive, partners must be larger than the goldfish's mouth, golden medaka, long-finned varieties and fin nippers, unusual varieties only with their own variety, two or more, tank volume and size, filtration and flow, water testing intervals, bowls are too small)
- GEX: Goldfish come in many varieties (金魚の品種はさまざま, in Japanese. Why tank mates are hard, variety pairs, weather loaches, Amano shrimp, snails)
- Tokyo Aqua Garden: Keeping goldfish with other animals (金魚と生き物を一緒に飼育するには, in Japanese. Check that food reaches everyone, neon tetras and corydoras named as partners)
- Tokyo Aqua Garden: Fish and animals you can keep with medaka (メダカと一緒に飼える魚や生き物, in Japanese. Goldfish sometimes eat medaka)
- Tokyo Aqua Garden: Nerite snail (石巻貝, in Japanese. No baby snails in the tank, flipping over)
- Aquarium Co-Op: Cherry Shrimp Tank Mates (do not keep shrimp with medium or larger fish such as goldfish)
- Aquarium Co-Op: Amano Shrimp (goldfish are big enough to eat shrimp)
- UF/IFAS EDIS FA006: Ichthyophthirius multifiliis (White Spot) Infections in Fish (watch new fish for at least 30 days)
- UF/IFAS EDIS FA124: The Ornamental Fish Trade (watching before adding, acclimating to the water, looking up the partner's needs)
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