Goldfish with tetras (?)

Hey guys,

I'm completely new to fish keeping, and so I've been doing a lot of reading!!

A few people have said that goldfish and tetras shouldn't be kept together, but when consulting the species profiles on fishlore, their pH and temperature requirements overlap. As well as their feeding requirements. What other factors are at play here when I'm told by experienced fish people to keep them in separate tanks?

Since they're some of the easiest, hardiest beginner fish, I figure they'd be a good start, but why can't I keep them together?

Thanks

 

Could you be a little more specific on what kind of tetras?

 

Good morning and Welcome to Fish Lore!

Goldfish are a temperate species and Tetras are a tropical species. It isn't always a good idea to mix the two, however, sometimes it can be done. In ponds, I know some folks have kept Goldfish with Plecos during the warmer months.

Another reason is that most tropical fish are going to be much faster than goldfish when it comes to getting food. Goldfish are slow swimmers for the most part.

It is recommended for Goldfish to have 20g's for the first fish and 10 gallon for each additional Goldfish.

Goldfish Care Sheet | Goldfish 167762

I hope you enjoy the forum!

Ken

 

Good morning and Welcome to Fish Lore!

Goldfish are a temperate species and Tetras are a tropical species. It isn't always a good idea to mix the two, however, sometimes it can be done. In ponds, I know some folks have kept Goldfish with Plecos during the warmer months.

Another reason is that most tropical fish are going to be much faster than goldfish when it comes to getting food. Goldfish are slow swimmers for the most part.

It is recommended for Goldfish to have 20g's for the first fish and 10 gallon for each additional Goldfish.

https://www.fishlore.com/aquariumfishforum/threads/goldfish-care-sheet.167762/

I hope you enjoy the forum!

Ken

unless you get the faster kind, ie. common, comet


what type of tetras are you getting? Neon, and other small tetras are a big NO, NO.

 

I don't know how big your aquarium is but I do know when stocking goldfish due the fact that they produce A LOT of waste and get to be quite large, they require a big tank and very keen maintenance. They are quite lackadaisical and as mentioned above probably won't get to food fast enough lol a commet goldfish might fair pretty well though. And while each fish has a temperature range, tropical community fish do like the water to be a tad warmer than goldfish.

 

My fancies can outrun the comet to the food any day of the week. I also think they would find most tetras a very tasty snack, and would have no problem catching them. Goldfish can get VERY motivated to move when there is food involved. LOL

 

My fancies can outrun the comet to the food any day of the week. I also think they would find most tetras a very tasty snack, and would have no problem catching them. Goldfish can get VERY motivated to move when there is food involved. LOL

They do love their food. NOM!

 

hey guys, thanks for the info!

I was just looking at basic neon tetras.

I guess the main reason is just simply because the goldfish will outgrow the tetras and possibly eat them?

On the topic of food, I'd read that goldfish are keen to eat live plants and things. Is this something that can supplement their diet if they can't get a full tummy of flakes?

Again- I'm not quite clear on the temperature thing, because on the fish profiles it says this:

neon tetras- pH: 5-7.5; temp: 21 C - 26 C
goldfish- pH: 6-7.5; temp: 5 C - 27 C

So theoretically, why couldn't I keep my (hypothetical!) tank at around pH=7 and 25 degrees? Will that not suffice both species? (omitting the food factor for a second)

 

While goldfish can be kept at 25C, they prefer colder water around 20C.

To the best of my knowledge, Neon Tetras are tropical and wouldn't like 21C, but 23C at the least.

Mods, am I wrong that neons are fully tropical? If not, shouldn't the Neon Tetra profile be revised?

 

I'm pretty sure that bloodfin tetras can handle cold water better.

 

While goldfish can be kept at 25C, they prefer colder water around 20C.

To the best of my knowledge, Neon Tetras are tropical and wouldn't like 21C, but 23C at the least.

Mods, am I wrong that neons are fully tropical? If not, shouldn't the Neon Tetra profile be revised?

Goldfish are also listed in the tropical fish species profile:
https://www.fishlore.com/TropicalFishProfiles.htm

"The Goldfish is a favorite fish for many. How many of us didn't keep a goldfish at one time or another? They are usually very hardy fish and goldfish can live in temperatures ranging from 40°F - 90°F (4°C - 32°C)."
(https://www.fishlore.com/Profiles-Goldfish.htm)

So I'm still not really understanding why they can't be together when theoretically speaking- they can! ?

 

Mods, am I wrong that neons are fully tropical? If not, shouldn't the Neon Tetra profile be revised?

It is not the mods call whether the fish like warmer or cooler water. Neons, and many other "tropical" fish, are not fully tropical fish. Many have temp ranges that fall into the 60's.

Lostbunny - I keep my goldfish with 4 species of tetras, including neons.

 

Lostbunny - I keep my goldfish with 4 species of tetras, including neons.

Cool Jaysee thanks! No problems I'm assuming- a peaceful tank?

 

Yes, it's a very peaceful tank. People have preconceived ideas about what "tropical" means. I see it all the time - people often assume what the care requirements are. Neons are a perfect example of this.

 

I agree with Jaysee. If you really do the research (I'm not saying others didn't) most tropical species are compatible with goldfish. If you'll notice, most tropical fish prefer temps ranging from 72-82. Goldfish prefer temps 68-75 (my experience). Temperature wise goldfish and tropical fish are compatible. The conflicts have more to do with feeding habits, size, speed, and temperament.

 

Okay thanks guys! One last thing- will keeping the goldfish on the warmer side of the spectrum encourage their growth?

(I wouldn't want to wake up one morning to find giant foot long goldfish. Not that I expect this will happen but you get my drift lol)

 

Yes, warmer water does speed up their metabolism and digestive system. They'll grow large more quickly, but they also will need to be fed more often.

 

Warmer water speeds the growth of all fish. Will you notice a difference? No.

 

Great thanks a lot for your help!!

 

It is not the mods call whether the fish like warmer or cooler water. Neons, and many other "tropical" fish, are not fully tropical fish. Many have temp ranges that fall into the 60's.

Lostbunny - I keep my goldfish with 4 species of tetras, including neons.

I said this because I didn't want incorrect information on their profile. Apparently I was 'wrong'.

 

To each his or her own. We all come here for advice; to give or receive. But as long as you have done your research, heard your fellow fish friends out, it really comes down to how you feel about the whole thing. Enjoy yourself!!

 

Just remember the feeding aspect. I know my friend has to feed goldies a few times a day due to the lack of having a stomach(Correct me here). So when you feed be sure the tetras arnt over eating. If you would like a good fish to put with goldies itd have to be Gold barbs, for starters they are too fast for a goldie, and they get rather large in the female department. They can handle cooler temps aswell.

 

Just remember the feeding aspect. I know my friend has to feed goldies a few times a day due to the lack of having a stomach(Correct me here). So when you feed be sure the tetras arnt over eating. If you would like a good fish to put with goldies itd have to be Gold barbs, for starters they are too fast for a goldie, and they get rather large in the female department. They can handle cooler temps aswell.

I concur. Feeding seems like the only issue. But I'm sure you'll handle it.

 

I haven't found feeding to be difficult I feed NLS once a day, like every other tank.

 

I have kept fancy tailed goldfish with tetras in the past. I kept the water around 78 degrees an fed as much as they'd eat twice a day. I didn't have a problem with my fish getting along, but my goldfish grew very fast. lol They also put out a ton of fishy poo. So much in fact I had to break down and clean my filter's motor off every month. If you have goldfish in your tank you won't have much room for little tetras but if the goldfish aren't there you could potentially have a whole school (depending on your tank size). I personally love goldfish, they're such characters. I'm also a fan of having big schools in larger tanks. Gone are my days of mixed fish community tanks. I wish you luck.