No goldfish in a tropical tank, right? Why?

[SpaceButler]

Well, my oscar is only 4 inches right now, and if I got a moderately large or medium-sized goldfish, I doubt he'd get eaten.

That's not to say he wouldn't get nipped at and terrorized, but it's a non-issue because I've decided to forget about it.

[Medusa Head]

Complete total misconception. Goldfish do great at tropical temperatures, preferably in the mid 70's. I have been keeping goldfish at tropical temperatures for a couple years now. They do GREAT. In fact, if you keep the fancier "egg shaped" varities (orandas, black moor, etc.), they do much BETTER in a tank heated to the mid 70's.

Look here - http://www.kokosgoldfish.com/comfish.html - everything listed on there (with the possible exception of the loaches) is either tropical or sub tropical. I keep everything on that page with my goldfish and my tank does great.

I don't know where this misconception ever got started.

[mattrox]

I agree Medusa. I have been coyly (no pun intended) saying this in a few posts.......

I think they are hardy fish which cope well with a range of conditions.

[dr_girlfriend]

I don't think temperature is the main concern. Goldfish have no problems in warmer water. But temperment wise for your oscar, and also disease wise. Goldfish and tropical mixing raises disease concerns, and for the well being of both fish, I would keep them in species tanks.

[Devilishturtles]

Look here - http://www.kokosgoldfish.com/comfish.html - everything listed on there (with the possible exception of the loaches) is either tropical or sub tropical. I keep everything on that page with my goldfish and my tank does great.

Uh huh, but do you notice that everything listed on that page are fish that can stand temperatures down in the 60's? Look at the profiles for most all tropical fish, this isn't the case. While I agree that they can be kept in warmer waters, I still wouldn't say that they thrive in it.

This was already stated in this thread, but I'll state it again. Goldfish require lots of oxygen. So, if you are going to keep goldies at a tropical temperature, you need to make sure that you have more than adequate filtration.

I'm keeping a black moor with tropical fish now, he has lived healthy for years, but I think there are just things that need attention (temp, aeration, feeding, etc)

[SpaceButler]

My tank is cycling at 15x an hour. And I know that an airstone can't increase your bio-load, but it helps get oxygen down in the tank. I've got one of those.

I'm conflicted again... but I don't think I'll get a goldfish any time soon, if at all.