Species › Other fish

Goldfish tank mates and minimum tank size

Carassius auratus

Goldfish grow to 48 cm (19 in). They are active and can unsettle shy tank mates. They need 15.6–21.1 °C (60–70 °F) and pH 7.0–8.0.

Minimum tank

76 L (20 US gal)

Adult size

48 cm (19 in)

Temperature

15.6–21.1 °C (60–70 °F)

pH

pH 7.0–8.0

Group

no minimum

Goldfish minimum tank size

Goldfish need at least 76 L (20 US gal). Add 76 L (20 US gal) for each additional fish.

That is the largest minimum among the sources below. The planner also checks the tank length against the adult size of 48 cm (19 in): a tank shorter than 4 times that is cramped (192 cm (76 in)).

Goldfish tank mates

Each of the other 52 species in this reference, judged against goldfish by the same rules as the compatibility checker. A guide, not a guarantee.

Compatible (7)

• Guppy
• Paradise fish
• Platy
• Rosy barb
• Tiger barb
• Yoyo loach
• Zebra danio

With care (7)

• Black skirt tetraThe only pH that suits both is pH 7.0, set by goldfish and black skirt tetras. That leaves no margin.
• Celestial pearl danioCelestial pearl danios are shy and lose out at feeding time to boisterous goldfish.
• Glass catfishThe only pH that suits both is pH 7.0, set by goldfish and glass catfish. That leaves no margin. Glass catfish are shy and lose out at feeding time to boisterous goldfish.
• MollyThe only temperature that suits both is 21–21.1 °C (70–70 °F), set by mollies and goldfish. That leaves no margin.
• Mystery snailThe only temperature that suits both is 21–21.1 °C (70–70 °F), set by mystery snails and goldfish. That leaves no margin.
• Neon tetraThe only temperature that suits both is 21–21.1 °C (70–70 °F), set by neon tetras and goldfish. That leaves no margin. The only pH that suits both is pH 7.0, set by goldfish and neon tetras. That leaves no margin.
• OtocinclusThe only temperature that suits both is 21–21.1 °C (70–70 °F), set by otocinclus and goldfish. That leaves no margin. Otocinclus are shy and lose out at feeding time to boisterous goldfish.

Not compatible (38)

• AngelfishAngelfish need 25.6–28.9 °C (78–84 °F); goldfish need 15.6–21.1 °C (60–70 °F). No temperature suits both.
• BettaBettas need 24.4–29.4 °C (76–85 °F); goldfish need 15.6–21.1 °C (60–70 °F). No temperature suits both. Bettas are usually best kept alone. Some accept calm tank mates such as goldfish, many do not.
• Black neon tetraBlack neon tetras need 23–27 °C (73–81 °F); goldfish need 15.6–21.1 °C (60–70 °F). No temperature suits both.
• Boeseman's rainbowfishBoeseman's rainbowfish need 27–30 °C (81–86 °F); goldfish need 15.6–21.1 °C (60–70 °F). No temperature suits both.
• Bristlenose plecoBristlenose plecos need 23–26 °C (73–79 °F); goldfish need 15.6–21.1 °C (60–70 °F). No temperature suits both.
• Bronze corydorasBronze corydoras need 25–27 °C (77–81 °F); goldfish need 15.6–21.1 °C (60–70 °F). No temperature suits both.
• Cardinal tetraCardinal tetras need 23–27 °C (73–81 °F); goldfish need 15.6–21.1 °C (60–70 °F). No temperature suits both. Goldfish need pH 7.0–8.0; cardinal tetras need pH 4.0–6.0. No pH suits both.
• Cherry barbCherry barbs need 23–27 °C (73–81 °F); goldfish need 15.6–21.1 °C (60–70 °F). No temperature suits both.
• Cherry shrimpGoldfish grow to 48 cm, big enough to eat adult cherry shrimp (4 cm).
• Chili rasboraChili rasboras need 25–28 °C (77–82 °F); goldfish need 15.6–21.1 °C (60–70 °F). No temperature suits both. The only pH that suits both is pH 7.0, set by goldfish and chili rasboras. That leaves no margin. Chili rasboras are shy and lose out at feeding time to boisterous goldfish.
• Clown loachClown loaches need 25–30 °C (77–86 °F); goldfish need 15.6–21.1 °C (60–70 °F). No temperature suits both. The only pH that suits both is pH 7.0, set by goldfish and clown loaches. That leaves no margin.
• Cockatoo dwarf cichlidCockatoo dwarf cichlids need 24–25 °C (75–77 °F); goldfish need 15.6–21.1 °C (60–70 °F). No temperature suits both. Goldfish need pH 7.0–8.0; cockatoo dwarf cichlids need pH 6.0. No pH suits both.
• Common plecoCommon plecos need 23.3–26.7 °C (74–80 °F); goldfish need 15.6–21.1 °C (60–70 °F). No temperature suits both.
• Congo tetraCongo tetras need 23–26 °C (73–79 °F); goldfish need 15.6–21.1 °C (60–70 °F). No temperature suits both. Congo tetras are shy and lose out at feeding time to boisterous goldfish.
• Convict cichlidConvict cichlids need 24–28 °C (75–82 °F); goldfish need 15.6–21.1 °C (60–70 °F). No temperature suits both. Convict cichlids are aggressive and best kept in a tank of their own; they attack fish several times their size, so goldfish would be harassed.
• DiscusDiscus need 26–30 °C (79–86 °F); goldfish need 15.6–21.1 °C (60–70 °F). No temperature suits both. The only pH that suits both is pH 7.0, set by goldfish and discus. That leaves no margin.
• Dwarf gouramiDwarf gouramis need 25–27 °C (77–81 °F); goldfish need 15.6–21.1 °C (60–70 °F). No temperature suits both.
• Ember tetraEmber tetras need 24–28 °C (75–82 °F); goldfish need 15.6–21.1 °C (60–70 °F). No temperature suits both. The only pH that suits both is pH 7.0, set by goldfish and ember tetras. That leaves no margin. Ember tetras are shy and lose out at feeding time to boisterous goldfish.
• Endler's livebearerEndler's livebearers need 24–30 °C (75–86 °F); goldfish need 15.6–21.1 °C (60–70 °F). No temperature suits both. Endler's livebearers are shy and lose out at feeding time to boisterous goldfish.
• German blue ramGerman blue rams need 27–30 °C (81–86 °F); goldfish need 15.6–21.1 °C (60–70 °F). No temperature suits both. Goldfish need pH 7.0–8.0; German blue rams need pH 5.0–6.0. No pH suits both. German blue rams are shy and lose out at feeding time to boisterous goldfish.
• Glowlight tetraGlowlight tetras need 24–28 °C (75–82 °F); goldfish need 15.6–21.1 °C (60–70 °F). No temperature suits both.
• Harlequin rasboraHarlequin rasboras need 22–25 °C (72–77 °F); goldfish need 15.6–21.1 °C (60–70 °F). No temperature suits both. The only pH that suits both is pH 7.0, set by goldfish and harlequin rasboras. That leaves no margin.
• Honey gouramiHoney gouramis need 22–27 °C (72–81 °F); goldfish need 15.6–21.1 °C (60–70 °F). No temperature suits both. Honey gouramis are shy and lose out at feeding time to boisterous goldfish.
• KribensisKribensis need 24–25 °C (75–77 °F); goldfish need 15.6–21.1 °C (60–70 °F). No temperature suits both. Kribensis are shy and lose out at feeding time to boisterous goldfish.
• Kuhli loachKuhli loaches need 24–26 °C (75–79 °F); goldfish need 15.6–21.1 °C (60–70 °F). No temperature suits both. Goldfish need pH 7.0–8.0; kuhli loaches need pH 5.5–6.5. No pH suits both.
• Lemon tetraLemon tetras need 23–28 °C (73–82 °F); goldfish need 15.6–21.1 °C (60–70 °F). No temperature suits both.
• Nerite snailNerite snails need 22–26 °C (72–79 °F); goldfish need 15.6–21.1 °C (60–70 °F). No temperature suits both.
• OscarOscars need 22–25 °C (72–77 °F); goldfish need 15.6–21.1 °C (60–70 °F). No temperature suits both.
• Panda corydorasPanda corydoras need 22–25 °C (72–77 °F); goldfish need 15.6–21.1 °C (60–70 °F). No temperature suits both.
• Pearl gouramiPearl gouramis need 24–28 °C (75–82 °F); goldfish need 15.6–21.1 °C (60–70 °F). No temperature suits both. Pearl gouramis are shy and lose out at feeding time to boisterous goldfish.
• Peppered corydorasPeppered corydoras need 22–23 °C (72–73 °F); goldfish need 15.6–21.1 °C (60–70 °F). No temperature suits both. The only pH that suits both is pH 7.0, set by goldfish and peppered corydoras. That leaves no margin.
• Pygmy corydorasPygmy corydoras need 22–26 °C (72–79 °F); goldfish need 15.6–21.1 °C (60–70 °F). No temperature suits both. Pygmy corydoras are shy and lose out at feeding time to boisterous goldfish.
• Red tail sharkRed tail sharks need 22–26 °C (72–79 °F); goldfish need 15.6–21.1 °C (60–70 °F). No temperature suits both.
• Rummy-nose tetraRummy-nose tetras need 23–26 °C (73–79 °F); goldfish need 15.6–21.1 °C (60–70 °F). No temperature suits both. Goldfish need pH 7.0–8.0; rummy-nose tetras need pH 5.5–6.0. No pH suits both. Rummy-nose tetras are shy and lose out at feeding time to boisterous goldfish.
• Serpae tetraSerpae tetras need 22–26 °C (72–79 °F); goldfish need 15.6–21.1 °C (60–70 °F). No temperature suits both.
• Siamese algae eaterSiamese algae eaters need 24–26 °C (75–79 °F); goldfish need 15.6–21.1 °C (60–70 °F). No temperature suits both.
• SwordtailSwordtails need 22–28 °C (72–82 °F); goldfish need 15.6–21.1 °C (60–70 °F). No temperature suits both.
• White cloud mountain minnowWhite cloud mountain minnows and goldfish: it is often sold as a goldfish companion but does not suit one.

Sources

Where sources differ, the value shown is computed as the most cautious one.

Behaviour notes are from Aqueon care guides, read 2026-10-26.

Check against another species Plan a tank