The 9 Best Goldfish Tank Mates for Your Freshwater Aquarium

Most fish keepers love Goldfish, but only a few actually keep them.

Not many people know that Goldfish live in specific conditions and can only live with certain tank mates.

Goldfish are demanding yet alluring, all at once!

If you have a goldfish and are thinking about adding some tank mates, here are a few things you need to consider before adding any new fish to the tank.

• Goldfish are usually friendly towards each other; however, they can become aggressive when looking for food
• Goldfish can go approximately two weeks without eating
• Some Goldfish can grow up to 6 inches if kept in a big tank
• They make a lot of waste
• The ideal temperature is between 20°C – 23°C

With that out of that way, here are nine fish that can share a habitat with Goldfish:

1. Bristlenose Pleco

The Bristlenose Catfish grows up to an average size of 3-5 inches.

Their friendly nature allows them to share a home with Goldfish.

However, two males can create havoc as they get incredibly territorial.

The ideal temperature for Bristlenose Pleco is somewhere between 15-27°C.

They are slow swimmers and reside at the bottom of the tank, making great tank mates.

2. Hillstream Loach

You can also put hillstream Loaches with your Goldfish as they get along well with other fish because of their peaceful nature.

They are fast swimmers and expect to be kept in a fast-moving environment. Like Goldfish, they prefer colder temperatures as cold water has rich oxygen flow. Above 75°F, they tend to die.

These fish are considered to be small, ranging from 2 to 3 inches. Simultaneously, their fin length is longer than a regular fish, like a suction cup, which allows them to cling on rocks.

3. Corydoras Catfish

The corydoras catfish is an excellent mate for the Goldfish in your tank.

These peaceful little creatures, ranging from 1 to 3 inches long, are easy to breed, preferably in colder temperatures of not more than 72 to 82°F.

Like Bristlenose pleco, they tend to go deeper in the water and live at the bottom.

Try to put your Cory catfish in groups of more than 5. They tend to love water flow and are often found galloping up and down in areas with high flow.

4. Giant Danios

The giant danio is a 4-6 inch beautiful tropical fish that requires a temperate of 22-27 °C. It has transparent fins, gray in color, making it incredibly attractive to the eye.

Giant Danios are considered to be a bit aggressive when living in a community tank, so keep an eye on them if you’re looking to pair them up with Goldfish in a tank environment.

However, these fish appreciate water movement to simulate the motion of the rivers and fast-moving streams (where these fish are found initially).

5. Gold Barbs

The Gold Barb fares well in community aquariums along with other fish as they are peaceful schooling fish.

Gold Barbs have short fins, and they prefer to be a tank mate with similar-sized fish.

Gold barbs are active swimmers and need space. They are usually found to grow to a maximum of 3 inches and live happily at temperatures ranging from 74 to 82° F.

6. White Cloud Mountain Minnows

White Cloud Mountain Minnows are very peaceful fish that have long, trailing fins. They are easy to take care of and are docile enough to be put in a tank with your Goldfish.

White cloud mountain minnows grow to be4cm long and like to have a regular flow of water to swim in.

It would be best if you were mindful that the temperature should be kept between 64-72°F and never exceed 80°F as it would be fatal for them.

7. Apple Snail

Have you ever come across someone who will tear the entire house down if not given food on time?

Well, apple snails are somewhat like that. Infamous for their appetite, they tend to get annoyed and end up destroying the beautiful aquarium they live in.

It would be best if you were careful when choosing an apple snail. And mind you, it’s not going to be easy!

Ideally, apple snails can breed in temperatures ranging from 18 to 28°C (65-82°F), depending on their type.

You will be amazed to know that they can eat vegetables –and they’re fast eaters.

Even so, a mid-size apple snail is only 2 inches long. If taken care of properly, they can reach up to 6 inches long.

8. Bamboo Shrimp

Bamboo shrimps are very easy to breed because of their peaceful nature. You won’t have any trouble nurturing them even if you are a beginner.

These 3-inch-long creatures require water at 75-81°F to survive.

Occasionally, they will sit so still that you might think that they are dead. But they are likely just molting to retain a strong exoskeleton.

Due to this peaceful nature and the fact that they don’t move around too much, they’re perfect for keeping with Goldfish in a tank.

9. African Dwarf Frogs

Ideally, these aquatic creatures are 3 inches in size. Most people enjoy the no-hassle caretaking that comes with them as they can eat almost anything – living, dead, or dying.

So, be very careful! Apart from that, they are very peaceful creatures and like to float. To accommodate the African dwarf frogs, you need to set the temperature up to 75–82 °F.

Final Thoughts

Ideally, you want your Goldfish to have friends that they can play around with in their tank.

If you’re looking for some goldfish tank mates, go with some of the fish noted above.

When you decide to get a pet goldfish or any other fish for that matter, always create a safe and peaceful home for them.

Get a tank, decorate it accordingly, check on the water conditions, and take good care of your little buddies!