16 Best Goldfish Tank Mates (Complete Guide)

Having a friend in a tank can help your fancy goldfish live longer. Although some people may argue that putting tank mates in a goldfish tank is not the best thing to do. That’s why I have researched and compiled a list of the best goldfish tank mates. In my opinion, these are the best options for you to choose from when considering adding a goldfish tank mate.

But before you start with the list, let’s discuss some basic questions that might be in your mind.

Can Goldfish Have Tank Mates?

The answer is yes, as long as you choose the right ones. Goldfish are social animals and can get lonely if left alone in a tank for too long. If you want to give your fish some companionship, you have to choose carefully so that the new fish can get along with your existing fish.

Goldfish are generally peaceful and don’t require much space, but they need other goldfish that are similar in size and temperament to thrive. Later in this article, We will discuss them in detail.

Will Goldfish Eat Tank Mates?

Goldfish, like any fish, can become aggressive when they’re hungry. But will a hungry goldfish eat its tank mates?

The answer is yes, but it’s not going to be a regular occurrence.

Goldfish are omnivores, meaning they’ll eat both plants and animals — and will eat just about anything they can fit in their mouths. In the wild, goldfish eat algae and plants, mollusks like snails, insects, and small fish. They have also been known to eat other types of fish, such as koi and carp.

But if you have a peaceful community tank with your fancy goldfish, there’s no need to worry about them eating other fish in the tank. Your goldfish probably won’t even notice that other fish are present unless they’re starving or feel threatened by another fish’s presence in their territory. If you plan on keeping more than one goldfish in your tank, however, you should always make sure they’re compatible with each other before introducing them into the same environment.

What Kind of Fish Can You Keep With Goldfish?

The best types of fish to keep with your fancy goldfish are ones that have the same temperaments and water requirements as them. In other words, if you have an aggressive fish or one that requires high levels of salt in its water, it’s not going to work out well for your goldfish.

Here are some things that you should keep in mind before buying tank mates for your goldfish:

1- Same Temperament

The most important factor when choosing a companion for your goldfish is their temperament. Goldfish are known for being friendly, but they can also be territorial and aggressive toward other species. If they are not raised together from the same group of eggs, this behavior is more likely to occur. However, if they were raised together in a group they will often remain friendly toward other species throughout adulthood (unless they are introduced at an older age).

2- Same Size

The other thing you will want to do before adding any goldfish tank mates is to make sure that they are all about the same size. Goldfish are messy eaters, and if you have a large fish in a small tank, it will be eating all the food before your smaller fish have a chance to get any. This will leave them hungry and stressed out, which can lead to behavior problems like nipping and fin nipping.

3- Similar Water Requirements

It’s obvious that different types of fish require different types of water parameters; some need harder water, while others need softer water or more alkaline or acidic water than others. If you try mixing a fish that require different water conditions as compared to goldfish, you might end up with one type dying because, or worse yet, both of them might die because their requirements were too different and they couldn’t adapt well enough.

List Of 16 Best Goldfish Tank Mates

So let’s start with the most important part, here is the list of 16 best fancy goldfish tank mates:

1- Hoplo Catfish

It is possible to keep a hoplo catfish with goldfish. Keep in mind that the hoplo catfish is a bottom dweller and the goldfish are mid-level swimmers. They both need 20 gallons of water per fish.

A hoplo catfish will eat the same kind of food that a goldfish eats, so you don’t have to worry about compatibility there. You do, however, need to make sure that your tank is large enough for all of them (hoplo catfish grow very quickly).

The good news is goldfish are omnivorous scavengers that will eat algae wafers and other foods designed specifically for them. The hoplo catfish eats worms, small insects, and crustaceans. so it may eat any leftovers from the goldfish’s dinner!

2- Variatus Platy

Variatus Platies and goldfish have a lot in common which makes them perfect tank mates. They’re both very hardy fish that can be kept in a wide range of water conditions. They’re also both very popular aquarium fish, so you’ll find many people who are breeding them as a hobby.

Both species prefer cool water temperatures, with goldfish preferring temperatures below 70 degrees Fahrenheit (21 degrees Celsius) and Variatus Platies preferring temperatures between 68-72 degrees Fahrenheit (20-22 degrees Celsius). In general, it’s best to keep goldfish between 60-75 degrees Fahrenheit (15-24 degrees Celsius), while Variatus Platies prefer temperatures between 68 – 72 F (20 – 22 C). Keep both species away from sudden temperature changes because it might stress out them.

Both species love eating live foods like mosquito larvae or brine shrimp. Both species will also eat flake food and frozen foods like bloodworms and brine shrimp when they’re available.

3- Rosy Barbs

Both goldfish and Rosy Barbs are hardy fish that can live in a wide range of temperature and water quality conditions. Their active swimming habits make them ideal for tanks with large amounts of tank surface area, and both species are known to be capable jumpers.

Both species are omnivores, so they eat both plant matter and meaty foods. They will readily consume flakes, frozen foods, and pellets.

In terms of behavior, Rosy Barbs tend to be more aggressive than goldfish. They have been known to bully other fish by chasing them around the tank or nipping at their fins.

Although it is possible for these two species to coexist peacefully in one tank, there are some important differences to consider before adding them together:

Rosy Barbs need more space than goldfish. They grow up to 6 inches long and require larger tanks with plenty of hiding places. On the other hand, goldfish grow up to 12 inches long but prefer smaller tanks with limited hiding places because they prefer open water areas where they can swim freely without bumping into things all the time.

Rosy Barbs like warmer temperatures than goldfish do. 78-82 degrees Fahrenheit is ideal for keeping them happy and healthy!

4- Hillstream Butterfly Loach

The goldfish and Hillstream Butterfly Loach are two completely different kinds of fish, but they can live together in a community tank. The best thing about these two species is that they are not aggressive towards each other. They just need a little bit of space to be comfortable, which makes them excellent tank mates for each other.

Both of these fishes are omnivorous in nature, which means that they eat both plants and meat. You can feed them with both commercial pellets and live foods such as brine shrimp or worms. However, it is always better to feed them with fresh foods like fruits and veggies than processed foods like pellets or flakes because the latter have preservatives that may be harmful to your pets’ health.

They also share similar requirements when it comes to water conditions such as temperature and pH levels. Goldfish need warm water temperatures (around 75-78°F) while Hillstream Butterfly Loaches require cooler water temperatures (around 65-70°F). Moreover, both of these species love soft water with a pH level between 6.0-8.0 [1]

5- Checkered Barb

Goldfish and Checkered Barbs are two of the most popular fish in the world. The similarities between these two species make them perfect tank mates.

Goldfish and Checkered Barbs are both cold-water fish, so they prefer water temperatures between 55 and 65 degrees Fahrenheit. They are also omnivores that enjoy eating a variety of foods, including flakes, pellets, frozen food, and live food such as brine shrimp, bloodworms, and daphnia.

Because of their similar feeding habits, the ideal tank setup for goldfish and Checkered Barbs would be one with plenty of hiding places such as plants or rocks so that they can feed without being seen by other fish.

Both species are hardy fish that require little maintenance. However, it is important to check the water quality daily to ensure it stays clean and healthy for all occupants in the tank.

6- Dojo Loach

The Dojo Loach and goldfish are also excellent tank mates. They have many similarities and some differences that can be helpful in determining whether or not they are compatible with each other.

Both the dojo loach and goldfish are omnivorous fish, meaning they will eat both meaty foods and vegetable matter. This makes them a good choice for a community tank because they will eat most food scraps that other fish leave behind, helping to keep your tank clean and healthy. They also enjoy eating sinking pellets and freeze-dried foods which are easy to find and inexpensive to buy.

The main difference between these two species is their size; the dojo loach is much smaller than the goldfish. If you plan on keeping both species in your tank, make sure there is plenty of room for them to grow without crowding out other fish or becoming aggressive toward one another due to lack of space or resources such as food or hiding places.

7- Bristlenose Pleco

Goldfish and Bristlenose Pleco are both very popular aquarium fish. They are both hardy and easy to care for.

Bristlenose Pleco and goldfish are great tank mates. They can live together in the same aquarium. However, there are some differences between the two species that you should consider when choosing them as tank mates.

Both species of fish have a long lifespan, so they will be with you for years to come. They also require similar types of care, so they are easy to care for. Both species are bottom dwellers and will stay in one place most of the time.

The biggest difference between goldfish and Bristlenose Pleco is their size. Goldfish grow much larger than Bristlenose Plecos, so if you want a large school of fish in your aquarium, choose goldfish over Bristlenose Plecos. If you want smaller fish that won’t take up much space, then go with bristle noses instead of goldfish.

8- White Cloud Mountain Minnows

White Cloud Mountain Minnows and goldfish are awesome tank mates. They are both very hardy fish, with the ability to live in tanks that are relatively low-tech.

They both come from cold-water environments, so they will do best in tanks that have a temperature between 60 and 72 degrees Fahrenheit. They can tolerate fluctuations up or down within that range, but they will not do well if their tank is too warm or too cold.

White Cloud Mountain Minnows can live for up to 10 years, while goldfish usually live for about 3 years. This means that you need to be prepared for the long-term commitment when you put these two fish together in your tank.

9- Giant Danio

Giant Danio and goldfish are perfect tank mates. They are both very active and will keep the other fish entertained. The Giant Danio is a schooling fish, so you should have at least 6 in your aquarium. The goldfish can be kept alone or in groups of two or more.

Both the Giant Danio and goldfish are easy to care for, as they do not need cycling or water changes. They also have similar water parameters, so you can add them to the same tank without worrying about changing the temperature or pH levels. These fish are also very similar in size, with both reaching up to 5 inches (12 cm) long.

The main difference between these two species is their coloration. While they’re both colorful, they have different patterns on their bodies which make them stand out from one another. The Giant Danio has two horizontal stripes running along its body while the goldfish has only one stripe running along its backside.

10- Zebra Danio

Zebra Danio and goldfish are excellent tank mates. They have a lot of similarities that make them great for one another. They both like to swim around and explore their surroundings, they both love to eat and they both enjoy having company.

The Zebra Danio is also known as the Glo-lite or Silver Streak. It is a small fish that grows to be about 2 inches long. This fish is easy to care for, making it a great choice for beginners. The Zebra Danio has beautiful markings on its body that will change color depending on the temperature of the water in your tank. As the water gets colder, these markings will turn white and when things warm up again they will turn black or dark blue. This makes this fish very interesting to watch!

The Zebra Danio has a rather peaceful personality which makes it ideal for any community tank. It does not get along well with other species of Danios but it does get along well with most other types of community fish including goldfish!

Goldfish are very similar to Zebra Danios in many ways but there are a few differences between them as well.

11- Black Skirt Tetras

Black Skirt Tetras and goldfish are also ideal tank mates. They have similar water parameters and both are active swimmers. Black Skirts are surface dwellers and will swim at the top of the tank all day long, while goldfish tend to stay near the bottom.

The Black Skirt Tetra is one of the most popular fish in the aquarium hobby because of its vibrant colors and peaceful nature. The average size of this fish is 1.5 inches but they can grow up to 3 inches long if they live long enough. These tetras have an elongated shape that makes them easy to spot in an aquarium with plenty of plants or rocks for cover.

Black skirts are a very hardy species of tetra that can be housed in almost any type of aquarium environment from heavily planted tanks to tanks with no plants at all! These tetras will do best in groups of at least 6 or more individuals but even a single black skirt tetra can thrive in an aquarium environment as long as there are other types of shoaling fish present like danios or rasboras that can provide companionship.

12- Bloodfin Tetras

Both goldfish and Bloodfin Tetras are hardy fish that can live for several years. These two species of fish have many similarities, but they also have some differences. But still, they are great tank mates to each other.

Bloodfin Tetras and goldfish are both active swimmers and enjoy spending time in the middle of the tank. They are also both social fish that will do best when kept in groups of at least five individuals. Both species can be kept in a community aquarium with other peaceful species, but they should not be housed with aggressive or territorial fish.

The main difference between these two species is their size. While both goldfish and Bloodfin Tetras are considered medium-sized tropical fish, Bloodfin Tetras tend to grow larger than most varieties of goldfish. Adult Bloodfins will typically reach between three and four inches long while adult goldfish may only reach two inches in length at maturity. If you plan on keeping both types of fish in the same aquarium, make sure that there is enough space for your larger Bloodfins to swim freely without bumping into their smaller counterparts or any other objects in their tank’s decor.

13- Gold Barbs

Gold barbs have a lot of similarities with goldfish. Both these species have similar body shapes, colors, and behaviors. They can be kept in the same tanks and together they make a good combination.

Both species belong to the family Cyprinidae and both are bottom feeders. They mainly eat plants, algae, invertebrates, etc., which means that they can be kept together in a community aquarium.

Both species have similar body shapes – round or egg-shaped bodies with relatively large heads and pointed snouts with small mouths and teeth at the front of their mouths designed for eating food on the bottom of the tank rather than catching prey in open water like other fish species do with their sharp teeth at the back of their mouths.

Gold barbs are schooling fish, so you should keep at least six of them together in the same tank. You should also provide them with plenty of hiding spots, such as plants and caves. If you add some live plants to your tank, they will help keep nitrates down and give your gold barbs something to nibble on while they’re hiding from other fish or other predators.

14- Japanese Rice Fish

Although the Japanese Rice fish is smaller than the Goldfish still they make perfect tank mates. They are both easy to care for, they eat the same food and they can live in the same water conditions. They are both omnivores, meaning they eat a variety of foods. They both prefer aquariums with gravel bottoms, live plants, and a hideout to rest in. The only real difference is that the Japanese Rice Fish is less active than the Goldfish.

The Japanese Rice Fish needs a tank of at least 10 gallons with a lid on it to prevent them from jumping out of their tank. You also need to make sure that your tank has enough oxygen in it so that your fish do not die from suffocation. If you are keeping this type of fish then you should have an aquarium filter and some aquarium decorations for them to hide behind when they feel stressed out by their environment.

15- Murray River Rainbow Fish

Murray River Rainbow Fish and goldfish also make ideal tank mates. These fish can be kept together because they share similar water requirements and diets.

They both prefer cool water temperatures (55-65 degrees Fahrenheit). They both need a large tank with plenty of room to swim. They both eat flakes or pellets designed specifically for their species.

They both enjoy the company of other fish in the same tank (Murray River Rainbow Fish can have up to 5 goldfish in their tank).

16- Scissortail Rasboras

Scissortail Rasboras and goldfish are also perfect tank mates for each other. They have a lot of similarities, but also some differences as well.

Scissortail Rasboras are very similar to goldfish in many ways. They both have the same needs when it comes to their habitat and diet. You can keep them both in an aquarium or pond.

The two fish do share the same lifespan, which is around 10 years on average. However, they may live longer if they are well cared for in captivity.

One of the main differences between these two species is their size and appearance. Scissortail Rasboras are smaller than goldfish, with an average length between 1-2 inches (2-5 cm). Their bodies are rounder than those of goldfish as well. The scales on their body are also different since they don’t have any metallic coloration like those on a goldfish’s body.

Species To Avoid

The following fish species should not be kept with goldfish in the same tank:

1- Cichlids

Cichlids are aggressive and territorial, so they won’t get along well with your goldfish. They are also predators, so they will eat your goldfish!

2- Siamese fighting fish (Betta)

These fish are aggressive, territorial, and predatory. They also need a lot of space and cannot live with other fish (except for other bettas).

3- Guppy

Guppies are peaceful but very active swimmers that require plenty of space, so they won’t get along well with your goldfish. Also, they can be eaten by larger fish!

4- Mollies

Mollies are peaceful but very active swimmers that require plenty of space, so they won’t get along well with your goldfish. Also, they can be eaten by larger fish!

5- Oscar

Oscars are aggressive predators that will eat your fancy goldfish (and other small fish) if given the chance! They also need a lot of space like guppies and mollies do (so no Oscar for your tank either!).

Final Thoughts

I know my list of best tank mates for goldfish might not be perfect, but it’ll definitely help you make your decision. If you know of any other goldfish tank mates to add to this list, please share them with us. Also, if you have any other questions about goldfish or their care, please feel free to ask in the comments section of this post. Thanks for dropping by!