Lonely Goldfish

[LadyPenguin]

I have a 10g tank with only 1 goldfish in it, I read that goldfish are social creatures and can get depressed without any other fish in the tank. Are there some different kinds of fishes that get along with goldfish and can live in a 10g tank as well without it being over crowded?

 

[DreaminginBlue]

In all honesty, your goldfish would do better in a larger tank. They produce a lot of waste and it can be difficult to deal with this in a small tank. Plus, they love lots of space to swim around.
If you got a big enough tank, you could have another goldfish. Rule of thumb from what I've heard is at least 20 gallons for the first goldfish, and then 10 additional gallons for any other fish. So for two, you'd need at minimum a thirty gallon. Dollar per gallon is still on at Petco, you could probably grab a 29 gallon or larger before they're all gone.
If considering other tank mates besides goldfish, keep in mind they are coldwater fish. Choose cold water or subtropical fish that live in the same temperature range.
Here's a link you could look at:
https://pethelpful.com/fish-aquariums/Goldfish-Tankmates-Aquarium-Companions
Hope this helps!

 

[flchamp89]

2 in a 30g imo isnt enough tank.

 

[DreaminginBlue]

I agree. A bigger tank would be better. What size do you recommend?

 

[flchamp89]

Depends what kind of goldfish. But two of any kind in a 30g long term is gonna be tough. The filtration and wc required to pull it off make it a job not a hobby imo. Not to mention not great for the fish.

 

[DreaminginBlue]

Yeah. This is why I've never had goldfish, their bioload is just too much for me

 

[LadyPenguin]

Fixes

I plan on getting a 30-40g tank soon so don't worry, I want to know is overall what is the best fish companion for my goldfish. Like zebra danio but I know they have to be kept in schools of 5-6 and they can help shy goldfishes get comfortable by swimming around a lot but they nip on fins which I don't really like. Which fish provides the best friendship for my goldfish? Btw I don't want another goldfish already having one is enough!

 

[DreaminginBlue]

I see. What kind of goldfish do you have? Sometimes they can get along fairly well with White Cloud Mountain minnows, but they might eat them in some cases.

 

[LadyPenguin]

I have a common goldfish.

 

[DreaminginBlue]

Okay. I'd suggest WCMMs, but be sure to give them lots of hiding spots and plant cover in case your goldfish grows big enough to consider snacking on them.

 

[LadyPenguin]

Thank you so much!!! I will definitely buy more hiding spaces as well.

 

[LadyPenguin]

Love ya DreaminginBlue

 

[Fishkeeping411]

Common goldfish need much more space than fancy goldfish. The recommended minimum for one of them is 40 gallons, but I think they need more than that. Also, a goldfish would prefer another goldfish to socialise with rather than another species of fish.

 

[DreaminginBlue]

Yeah, many advise keeping goldfish only with other goldfish for that and other reasons. However, OP doesn't want another goldfish so I tried to provide other alternatives.

 

[Fishkeeping411]

Yeah, many advise keeping goldfish only with other goldfish for that and other reasons. However, OP doesn't want another goldfish so I tried to provide other alternatives.

I understand that, I was just trying to explain that although you can put minnows with goldfish, they won't really socialise with each other so the goldfish might still feel lonely.

 

[flchamp89]

Common gold fish need bigger tanks than what most people are willing to invest in. They are great for ponds.

 

[Tyrsdottir]

One choice the tank mate link doesn't give is Rosy Reds. You see them in the "feeder fish" tanks with your common goldfish. They get about 1.5 to 2 inches long and are active. Like goldfish, they are true cold water fish, meaning they could go in a pond.

 

[Reygan2]

I have a 10g tank with only 1 goldfish in it, I read that goldfish are social creatures and can get depressed without any other fish in the tank. Are there some different kinds of fishes that get along with goldfish and can live in a 10g tank as well without it being over crowded?

No. That common is going to outgrow that tank in no time, if it doesn't die of ammonia poisoning first. Please research goldfish, especially commons.