A question that pops up often with aquarium keepers who like to have more than one type of fish: Can Angelfish live with Goldfish?
Before you get your aquarium and fish, you need to know everything about them in advance. Look for information on the Internet or from experts in the field.
Here is a quick tip – do not rely on the seller, as they will say anything to make the sale and you will probably not learn anything specific.
Many people think that fish are just for aesthetics in the home. Thus they do not take into account a number of important things when buying them. This, of course, is completely wrong and usually leads to unpleasant experiences.
One of the biggest mistakes of novice aquarists is that they choose their aquarium fish according to their personal tastes and do not take into account the individual characteristics of each species.
Compatibility is a very broad topic that cannot be discussed in a few sentences. It is necessary to study the individual requirements for each of the fish that you have selected and assess whether their natural habitats are similar.
A typical example of fish you should NOT put in the same tank is Angelfish and Goldfish. These two fish species prefer vastly different conditions and are not compatible at all. Keeping Goldfish with Angelfish will cause a lot of issues.
In the following, we will discuss why it is such a bad idea to put Goldfish and Angelfish in the same tank. We will also discuss what fish can live with Goldfish and what fish can live with Angelfish, respectively.
Can Angelfish Live with Goldfish?
We have mentioned the main issue with keeping Angelfish with Goldfish– they thrive in completely different natural habitats. Let’s see why Angelfish and Goldfish can’t live together.
Temperature and pH
This is a major reason why you can’t mingle Goldfish with Angelfish. Each one requires different temperature ranges.
Goldfish need cool aquarium temperatures in order to be healthy and happy. They prefer a temperature of 76-84 °F. On the other side of the spectrum, Angelfish require temperatures between 65 and 72 degrees.
Exposing your Goldfish to high temperatures and your Angelfish to the opposite will only lead to serious health issues and may even kill them.
Moreover, Angelfish prefer a pH of 6.0-7.0, while Goldfish prefer 7.0-8.0.
Besides the obvious temperature and pH requirements, there are several other issues that should convince you against keeping angelfish and goldfish together.
Aggression
Angelfish are a highly predatory species and become relatively large as they grow older. As predators, it is natural for them to attack the Goldfish – there is almost a 100% chance that it will happen eventually.
Even though Goldfish can grow larger, they are slow and sluggish compared to the agile Angelfish and will be easily harassed. This could stress out the Goldfish and even kill it.
And when the Angelfish is breeding the problem gets worse. They will stake a claim to an area and fight off anything that comes close – your lumbering goldfish can’t help but swim into these troublesome waters.
The Goldfish isn’t without aggression either; this time your aquarium itself will be the victim. While Angelfish love to have aquarium plants around since they resemble their natural habitat, Goldfish will often dig them up.
Tank Size and Dimensions
Depending on the species, Goldfish can grow surprisingly large, but this also means they require a lot more space to thrive. This also makes them incompatible with most other species.
Experts normally recommend at least 10 gallons of water per single Angelfish and this number increases as the fish grows.
They can thrive with less space but if you want to provide the best living environment, you need to follow these requirements. If you have a pair of Angelfish, this means getting at least 20 gallons.
Goldfish, in turn, require even more space. For starters, you need at least 20 gallons to keep a single Goldfish happy and at least an additional 12 gallons if you want to keep a pair. And that is for a regular-sized one. A large Goldfish may require 50 gallons or more.
Even their preferred tank dimensions are different. Angelfish like deep tanks, while goldfish prefer long and wide ones.
Surprised? Did you think that you could keep a Goldfish in a bowl? Only in the movies! In reality, it is a devastating environment not only for Goldfish but generally any other species too.
This is also the reason why most Goldfish in tight aquarium spaces do not grow at all. Fish growth depends on their living space and Goldfish can generally grow much larger than you are used to seeing.
Bioload
Last but not least, Goldfish are notorious for creating a lot of waste that pollutes the aquarium – they are practically waste factories.
Even a strong filter or a large quantity of water may not prevent the waste from causing havoc in your tank.
Angelfish are susceptible to sudden changes in the environment and can get uncomfortable easily. A polluted environment will only lead to health problems – another reason why Angelfish can’t live with Goldfish.
What Fish Can Live with Goldfish?
Now that we know that Angelfish and Goldfish aren’t compatible, what other options do we have? As mentioned several times above, finding suitable tank mates for Goldfish is easier said than done.
Starting with their temperature requirements, most common aquarium fish are eliminated. You either need to find species that thrive in colder environments between 65° and 75°F (18°-24°C) or you can forget about it.
Next up, you must consider size. There is a simple rule for fish in aquariums. If one fish is small enough to be eaten by the other, chances are it will happen.
Furthermore, Goldfish tend to eat a lot, and by a lot, we mean that they are always hungry – not good for any small fish that has to share the same tank.
Choose fish that are at least the same size unless you want to wake up with one or two missing. If you choose fish species that are smaller than the Goldfish, at least make sure that they can outswim the predator.
Other than that, Goldfish are generally peaceful, which means that you really should not add aggressive species as tank mates. That’s why Angelfish is a no-go – there is almost a 100% guarantee that they will bully the Goldfish.
Last but not least, it all depends on the species of Goldfish you have in your aquarium. Believe it or not, there are over 200 species of Goldfish and each one has completely different characteristics and requirements. Some stay small while others can grow to abnormal sizes.
Always research the selected species before you select tank mates. With this said, here are several fish Goldfish can live with peacefully.
What Fish Can Live with Angelfish?
Angelfish give you plenty of options when it comes to tank mates. Their requirements are not as unique as those of Goldfish.
It is good to know that Angelfish occupy the higher levels of the aquarium. If you want to keep them away from trouble, do not add other species that occupy this level. Choose ones that prefer the middle or bottom of the tank.
Make sure to select species that thrive in similar warm tropical environments. Angelfish also prefer soft and acidic water environments.
Once again, size matters. Angelfish grow surprisingly large despite their miniature size as juveniles. Like Goldfish, they will eat anything smaller and slower than them, so pick similar-sized species. Here are several great fish Angelfish can live with.
Conclusion
So there you go. As much as you’d like to see it, Goldfish can’t live with Angelfish without repercussions.
Angelfish and Goldfish require conditions that don’t overlap and they will not leave each other alone.
Don’t lose heart though; there are countless other fish that you can keep with either species – we mentioned a few. That will make sure your tank is vibrant and full of life.
Thanks for reading.
