What Fish Can Live with Goldfish? How To Choose the Best Goldfish Tank Mates

Goldfish do best with species that have similar needs. Look for fish who: 

• Can tolerate cooler water 
• Are not aggressive, not or  prone to fin nipping 
• Are large enough not to be eaten 
• Have similar swimming speeds (especially for fancy goldfish) 
• Show peaceful community behavior 

Keeping goldfish together is often the safest choice. However, know the types of goldfish you have. Fancy goldfish do best with other fancies because they swim more slowly. Avoid mixing fast common goldfish with slow fancy varieties. 

These schooling fish enjoy cool water and can make a peaceful group addition, but it’s necessary to make sure they’re large enough that they won’t get mistaken for food. They’ll do great with small goldfish. 

Weather loaches tolerate cool water and spend most of their time on the bottom of the tank. This helps reduce competition for space and food. Note these are restricted in many states; check with your state regulatory agencies. 

These algae eaters are generally safe companions and can handle cooler temperatures. They also help keep the tank clean, but still need their own food. 

Mystery snails and nerite snails are peaceful and help control algae. Their shells give them some protection, and they usually do well with goldfish. 

Many native minnow species in the United States match the temperature requirements of goldfish. Some of them are very colorful, at least during spawning season.  

Do not add wild-collected minnows to your aquarium. Some varieties, like the rainbow shiners, are frequently tank-bred. These may be subject to state-level native species restrictions; check with your state regulatory agencies. 

Chinese algae eaters are temperate fish and do fine at the same temperatures as goldfish, but be aware that despite their name, they are not great at eating algae and they’re sometimes aggressive, especially in smaller tanks. 

Tropical fish like tetras, guppies, and mollies need water that’s much warmer than goldfish prefer, so they’re not good matches. 

Avoid fish who can exhibit aggressive or territorial behaviors, such as bettas, tiger barbs, and cichlids. These fish can chase, bite, or stress goldfish out. 

Goldfish may also eat tiny fish, even if they seem friendly.

Ghost shrimp may survive with goldfish, but they’re more likely than not to get eaten. Smaller shrimp, like cherry shrimp, are often eaten by goldfish, so they aren’t an appropriate choice. 

Adding fish who create a lot of waste can overwhelm your filtration system. 

Follow these steps to safely introduce new fish to your goldfish tank: 

• Quarantine all new fish before adding them to the main tank. 
• Acclimate them slowly by matching temperature and water parameters. 
• Watch behavior closely during the first 72 hours to make sure everyone gets along. 

Remember to make sure your tank is large enough to accommodate additional fish. Research how much space each of your fish needs when fully grown, and upgrade to the biggest fish tank possible. 

You may run into difficulties introducing new fish even if they are a good match on paper. Watch for and correct the following issues: 

• Nipping and bullying: Move the aggressive fish to a separate tank or offer more hiding spaces to see if they can get along that way. 
• Poor water quality from overcrowding: Increase filtration or reduce the number of fish by placing some in a separate aquarium. 
• Signs of stress: Look for hiding, loss of appetite, or rapid breathing. Do a water change, alter the tank setup (e.g., add more hiding places), increase the tank size, or separate species into multiple tanks to reduce stress and create peaceful environments for all your fish. 

Can goldfish live with tropical fish? 
Most tropical fish need warmer water, so they aren’t good matches. 

What is the safest tank mate for goldfish? 
Other goldfish are usually the safest choice. 

Can you keep goldfish alone? 
Yes. Goldfish don’t need friends, but many enjoy the company of other goldfish. 

What size tank is needed for multiple species? 
A larger tank is better. Goldfish need plenty of space, and adding other species means even more room is required. 

To choose fish who will be compatible with your goldfish, consider all of their temperature needs, behaviors, and sizes. Many peaceful cold water species can make great goldfish aquarium mates when introduced carefully. Always focus on water quality, proper tank size, and responsible stocking.