55 Gallon Aquarium

[Little John]

Hey fishlorians, I just got a 55 gallon I and I was wondering what kind of catfish I can have in it because its cold water tank.

 

[fishfanatic15]

Hey fishlorians, I just got a 55 gallon I and I was wondering what kind of catfish I can have in it because its cold water tank.

How cold is the tank? What else lives in the tank?

 

[Goldiemom]

Are you set on a catfish? A bristlenose pleco would work in it.

 

[Little John]

it is not set up yet but the temp will be 65-75 and it will most likely live with a pumpkins seed which is like a more colorful and smaller black crappie

 

[fishfanatic15]

I don't know much about those but they seem cool

Certain species of cory cats live in 70° water (pandas for example). They do need to live in groups though.

I don't know much about pumpkin seed fish. They may eat cories.

You could also probably do a britlenose pleco or two. They can do 68°- 77°

 

[Little John]

It proably would eat cories

 

[Goldiemom]

Plecos often don’t do well together in tanks. I had one kill the other and I’ve read about others that have had the same experience. Some do have luck with them but I wouldn’t recommend it.

 

[Little John]

I would only have one pleco
and it would only be above 70 during the summer because were I live I do not get that hot and the pumpkin seed is a native fish. also I heard its good for fish to kind of have seasons were the water is warmer and where it is colder.

 

[Hunter1]

You are talking about a native fish that is aggressive and can grow to 6-7”. I am not familiar with a catfish, other than native catfish that can survive with a pumpkin seed crappie.

Snails may work.

 

[Genghis Karp]

Plecos are very hit and miss when kept together, it's true. There isn't a lot of info available with regards to the aggression levels of Dwarf Plecos to be able to research beforehand (unlike Cichlids), but I currently have 1 Goldseam Pleco, 1 Leopard Frog Pleco and 3 Clown Plecos that live all happily in a 60G. I really just took the gamble and it worked out. Back to the original question, I would get a Jaguar Catfish and a heater. They are the No 1 Catfish money can buy, not too big, not too aggressive and so cool and nicely marked.

 

[Goldiemom]

Plecos are very hit and miss when kept together, it's true. There isn't a lot of info available with regards to the aggression levels of Dwarf Plecos to be able to research beforehand (unlike Cichlids), but I currently have 1 Goldseam Pleco, 1 Leopard Frog Pleco and 3 Clown Plecos that live all happily in a 60G. I really just took the gamble and it worked out. Back to the original question, I would get a Jaguar Catfish and a heater. They are the No 1 Catfish money can buy, not too big, not too aggressive and so cool and nicely marked.

Remember they are getting a goldfish. They are cold water fish and won’t do well with a heater.

 

[Little John]

You are talking about a native fish that is aggressive and can grow to 6-7”. I am not familiar with a catfish, other than native catfish that can survive with a pumpkin seed crappie.

Snails may work.

Ok, I will probably put some snails in it.

 

[RainBetta]

Ghost cats
Cory cats
Pictus catfish???

 

[Genghis Karp]

Didn't realise it was a goldfish. Mind you, I'd still get the heater and the Jag and not bother with the goldfish but that's just me! I wouldn't put any kind of Catfish with a goldfish to be honest.

 

[RainBetta]

Ghost cats
Cory cats
Pictus catfish???

Nope, never mind! Didn't see the part about cold water!

 

[DuaneV]

Pumpkinseed are SUPER aggressive sunfish and CAN grow up to a foot long. Yes, a FOOT long. I have caught them in the 8-10" range many times. They will probably kill anything else you put in the tank.

 

[OneLittleBubble]

Remember they are getting a goldfish. They are cold water fish and won’t do well with a heater.

Goldfish aren't coldwater fish. This is a misconception that many people believe. Goldfish can handle warm waters just as much as any other tropical fish. They just have a higher tolerance to colder water.

 

[Goldiemom]

Goldfish ARE a coldwater fish. Yes, they can handle some extremes but why put them through that? I started raising goldfish 52 years ago. I am not even going to argue this point with you.

 

[OneLittleBubble]

Goldfish ARE a coldwater fish. Yes, they can handle some extremes but why put them through that?

They ARE not coldwater they can handle colder waters making people think that.

 

[Goldiemom]

As I said, I am NOT going to argue this one with you. Please, anyone reading this do not take their information as correct. Goldfish can live in temps as low as 34 degrees and still survive. The person needs to do some further learning. I am done arguing with you.

Coldwater fish - Wikipedia
Coldwater fish - Wikipedia
Coldwater fish are fish such as goldfish, koi, and other members of the carp family that are able to survive in cold water temperatures. ... These fish are also desirable choices for outdoor ponds and can stand temperatures down to 10 °C.
‎Freshwater aquarium fish · ‎Freshwater pond fish

Yes, a goldfish can stand warmer temperatures temporarily (when they're kept in a pond during summer months). But they won't feel comfortable kept in warm water all the time. And if you try keeping tropical fish in cold water, they'll just become lethargic and refuse to eat.

 

[Goldiemom]

Coldwater fish are fish such as goldfish, koi, and other members of the carp family that are able to survive in cold water temperatures. ... These fish are also desirable choices for outdoor ponds and can stand temperatures down to 10 °C.

 

[OneLittleBubble]

Obviously, you are still arguing with me by posting this message. I don't want to argue with you either. However, you should never ever keep a fish in 34 degrees temperature because that is not good for the fishes health and can hurt them in prolonged periods. Just because they can live in cold temperatures doesn't mean they are thriving, happy or even a coldwater fish. Goldfish will thrive in warmer temperatures and grow faster than in colder water because of their metabolism. Please do not respond to this post because I don't want to argue anymore.

OMG WIKIPEDIA. YES finally some good information from a trusted site. YASSSSSSSS. But seriously you said they don't do well with a heater which is false. PERIOD

 

[Goldiemom]

I wouldn't put goldfish in a 32F temp but I have an outdoor pond and Mother Nature puts them in there. Do you raise goldfish? What kind and for how long? Never mind, I am angry right now and I don't want to post when I feel this way. Good day.

 

[Coradee]

Please do not derail this thread any further, agree to disagree & move on

 

[jdhef]

Goldfish ARE a coldwater fish. Yes, they can handle some extremes but why put them through that? I started raising goldfish 52 years ago. I am not even going to argue this point with you.

Unless that's a very old photo of you in your avatar, I think your lying when you said started raising goldfish 52 years ago.

But I have to agree that goldfish are classified as either cold water fish or temperate water fish.

 

[Goldiemom]

Unless that's a very old photo of you in your avatar, I think your lying when you said started raising goldfish 52 years ago.

But I have to agree that goldfish are classified as either cold water fish or temperate water fish.

Funny and thank you. The pic was taken last summer. I am just well preserved.

 

[Hunter1]

Cold water fish can handle tropical temperatures but it’s not healthy for them. Their metabolism speeds up immensely which ages them quicker, makes them more susceptible to disease, just isn’t healthy.

There is a difference between surviving and thriving.

My wife had a black moor in a 78 degree tank (against my advice).

That fish was a mess. Like a meth freak, chasing everything, constantly eating, growing too fast. Got sick and died in less than 3 months.