Most fish can not survive alone as they prefer to live in groups, especially the schooling fish. But can your goldfish survive alone? Let us discuss this below:
Goldfish are peaceful fish that does not need a companion to live. However, it will be advisable to pair goldfish with other peaceful fishes to develop a playful environment in the tank. Therefore, guppy and rosy barb can be an ideal tankmate for goldfish due to similar tank requirements.
Let us dive into the article to know more about the other best tankmates for your goldfish. In addition to this, we would also discuss the facts we should consider before adding other fish to your goldfish tank.
Contents
- 1 Can we keep a single goldfish?
- 2 Are goldfish schooling fish?
- 3 Can your goldfish get depressed if their tankmates passes away?
- 4 Keeping a male and a female goldfish in the same tank
- 5 Can goldfish be a threat for their fry?
- 6 What factors to consider before adding other fish to your goldfish tank?
- 7 5 Best tankmates for your goldfish
- 8 Conclusion:
Can we keep a single goldfish?
Goldfish are peaceful species that enjoy the company of their tankmates. So, it will be advisable to pair your goldfish with other fish that require similar tank requirements.
However, your goldfish can survive independently, but we would still advise you to pair them with other fishes to develop a playful environment in the tank.
It would be best to place your goldfish alone if you have a small tank or a bowl.
As your goldfish requires enough space to grow, overstocking them in a bowl can affect the growth of your fish.
It would be advisable to avoid placing your goldfish in a bowl, and in the case of a small tank, you can keep 1-2 small goldfish.
In addition to this, the goldfish tank should contain a water filter to ensure a healthy environment in the tank.
Are goldfish schooling fish?
Goldfish are not schooling fishes as they can communicate with their tankmates. However, when you pair your goldfish with the other non-aggressive fishes, you notice that.
In addition to this, goldfish also enjoy mimicking each other. You will notice your goldfish mimicking the actions of the other fishes in the tank.
So, despite not being schooling fish, goldfish are very social and like to interact with their tankmates.
Can your goldfish get depressed if their tankmates passes away?
It is unlikely for your goldfish to get depressed if their tamkates pass away. However, your goldfish will get bored in the tank without their tankmates’ absence.
Goldfish require a lot of stimulation to ensure that they are not bored, as being too much bored can lead to stress in your fish.
Keeping a male and a female goldfish in the same tank
You can place a male and a female goldfish together in a big tank to house two goldfish. However, we want you to know that your goldfish will require a stable water temperature to mate.
Differentiating between the male and a female goldfish will also not be an issue as they have different appearances.
A female goldfish has a rounder and a thicker body shape, whereas a male goldfish has a thinner and more streamlined body shape.
Likewise, other fish’s goldfish even can’t change sex as only the female goldfish can lay eggs, and the male goldfish can fertilize them.
Can goldfish be a threat for their fry?
Although goldfish are non-aggressive fishes, they still can be a threat to the fry. Goldfish can eat anything that fits their mouth, making them dangerous for their baby fry.
So, it will be advisable to place your goldfish fry in a separate tank to avoid such accidents in the tank.
What factors to consider before adding other fish to your goldfish tank?
Here are the factors you should consider before adding other fish to your goldfish tank:
- Tank Size
- Water Temperature and Ph level
- Dietary Requirements
- Size of the fish
- Temperament
Tank Size
Goldfish require a bigger tank to live happily in tank. Therefore, if you plan to add other fishes to your goldfish tank, you must place them in a big tank.
Overstocking your fish can lead to aggression in the tank and pollute your tank’s water. Polluted water further can lead to a spike in the ammonia level leading to severe health issues in your fish.
Let us learn about your goldfish tank requirement with the help of a table.
Types of Goldfish | Minimum Size | Maximum Size | In a 10 Gallon Tank |
Comet Goldfish | 2 inches | 12 inches | 1-2 small Goldfish |
Common Goldfish | 4 inches | 14 inches | 1-2 small goldfish |
Fantail Goldfish | 6 inches | 8 inches | 1-2 small goldfish |
Shubunkin Goldfish | 9 inches | 18 inches | 1 small goldfish |
Sarasa Goldfish | 4 inches | 14 inches | 1-2 small goldfish |
The above table illustrates the number of goldfish you can place in a 10-gallon tank. Experts suggest adding one gallon per inch of fish.
Considering the tank size is very important before adding other fishes to your tank, as it is essential to provide a healthy life to your goldfish.
Also read: How Many Goldfish Can You Keep In A 10-Gallon Tank?
Water Temperature and Ph level
You must consider water parameters before adding other fishes to your goldfish tank, as every fish has their water temperature requirements.
Goldfish prefer a water temperature between 68-74 °F and do best at a ph level of 7.5.
The other fishes you are adding to your tank must have similar tank requirements.
You should never add a fish with different tank requirements as it can lead to a severe health issue in your fish.
Also read: What Is The Ideal Water Temperature For Goldfish?
Dietary Requirements:
Goldfish are omnivore species that require meat and green veggies for proper growth and development.
The other fish you are adding to your goldfish tank should have a similar tank requirement as your goldfish. So let us learn about your goldfish dietary needs with the help of a table.
Particulars | Serving Quantity | No.of times |
Mosquito Larvae | 12-15 | 3-4 times a week |
Bloodworms | One pinch at a time | 3-4 times a week |
Boiled Carrots | 1 small slice | 3-4 times a week |
Leafy greens (spinach, kale,lettuce) | A small piece of leaf | 3-4 times a week |
Tubifex Worms | One pinch at a time | 3-4 times a week |
Veggie pellets | One pinch at a time | 2-3 times a day |
These are the food required by your goldfish for their proper development.
The other fish must have a similar diet requirement to adjust in your goldfish tank. So, it will be advisable to add omnivore fish to your tank to avoid your fish competing for food.
Also read: Can Goldfish Eat Mosquito Larvae?
Size of the fish
You should always add a fish similar to the size of your goldfish. It is because your goldfish can be a threat to the smaller fish in the tank.
Although goldfish are non-aggressive fish, they can still eat anything that fits in their mouth. So adding smaller fish to your goldfish tank can risk their survival.
Temperament
Goldfish are non-aggressive fish that loves to interact with their tankmates. So, it will be advisable to ensure that the other fish has the same temperament as goldfish.
Pairing your goldfish with aggressive fishes can lead to aggression, eventually causing severe damage to your goldfish.
In addition, many attacks by aggressive fishes in the tank can also lead to stress and several health issues for your goldfish.
Therefore always pair your goldfish with non-aggressive fishes to develop a healthy environment in your goldfish tank.
It would be best to consider the above factors before adding other fishes to your goldfish tank.
5 Best tankmates for your goldfish
Here are the five best tankmates you can add to your goldfish tank:
- Guppy
- Rosy Barbs
- Zebra Danios
- Giant Danios
- Snails
Guppy:
Guppy can be an ideal tankmate for your goldfish as they have similar tank requirements.
Likewise, goldfish guppies are omnivores species and have similar dietary needs.
Guppies are also non-aggressive fishes, making them an ideal tankmate for your goldfish.
Also read: Can Goldfish Live With Guppy?
Rosy Barbs:
Rosy barbs are also an ideal tankmate for your goldfish as they require similar water parameters to thrive.
In addition to this, rosy barbs are peaceful fishes that can grow up to six inches, eliminating the risk of your goldfish attacking them.
Therefore it will be advisable to keep an eye on rosy barbs as they can turn into fin nippers when they are sad.
Zebra Danios:
Zebra danios require similar water parameters as goldfish, making them ideal tank mates for your fish.
Despite being small, zebra danios are extremely fast, making it a challenge for your goldfish to attack them.
In addition, zebra danios and goldfish have similar dietary needs, making them ideal tank mates for your fish.
Giant Danios:
Giant danios can also be a good choice for your goldfish tank. It will be advisable to keep your giant danios in the group of five with your goldfish.
In addition to this, always provide enough food as lack of food can make giant danios compete for food in the tank.
Snails:
Snails are also an ideal tankmate for your goldfish. However, you must ensure that the type of snail you choose should not be too small as your goldfish can be a threat to them.
But before adding a snail to your tank, you must be aware of its growth rate.
So, always keep an eye on their growth rate while adding them to your tank, as adding just one or two snails can make your goldfish tank swarm with them in no time.
Conclusion:
- Goldfish are peaceful species that can live independently, but still, it will be advisable to pair them with non-aggressive fishes to create a healthy environment in the tank.
- Goldfish are not schooling fish as they are social and like to interact with their tankmates.
- You can keep a male goldfish and a female goldfish in the same tank.
- Although goldfish are peaceful species, they still can be a threat to the fry as they like to eat anything that fits in their mouth.
- It would be best to consider all the essential factors like the size of the fish and tank requirements before adding other fish to your goldfish tank.
- It would be best to always pair your goldfish with the fishes like a guppy and rosy barb with similar tank requirements.
Reference: ResearchGate