Catfish and Goldfish

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
Pyramid_Party;4244431; said:
No way dont put any of those predatory catfish like RTC, channel cat, or bullhead, way too risky. Theres all kinds of small and medium catfish that wont bother your goldfish. As long as your goldfish are big enough then its safe.


i recommended bullhead b/c its temperate like goldfish. goldfish are tropical unlike the other cats mentioned (minus channels). channels can really only go with large koi. bullheads with common goldfish (large) will work well. i didn't say fancy types...
 
My local petsmart has what they call eclipse catfish, can't recall scientific name. They only get to 6 inches (according to petsmart) so they should work well with goldfish.. I have some that are fairly young and are only 4 inches long in my comm tank. They leave everyone else alone and are really cool to watch... just my 2 cents
 
No corydoras. A lot of goldfish grow too big and are capable of swallowing cories easily. Once this happens, there will come a time you will choose which of the fish to save. Saving both is almost impossible especially if the catfish's spines get lodged between the jaws.

As far as plecos are concerned, not all plecos behave similarly. Bristlenose plecos in general are quite acceptable as tankmates for goldfish. Of course, it totally depends how they behave towards their tankmates. There are exceptions. Male bristlenoses tend to be territorial but may learn to coexist well with goldfish especially when wellfed. I've successfully kept BN plecos with goldies with no issues however but that could only owe to the fact I kept mostly females. Don't even attempt whiptail plecos. They're too slender and fit almost perfectly in your goldfish's gaping mouths.

Regarding the issue of goldfish being tropical, I don't think so. They do have tolerance for higher temperature but on some extent, this will have dire effects to the fish. Goldfish are heavy oxygen consumers so warm temperature won't exactly fit right to them unless well aerated. Fancies in particular are best kept at an ideal temperature range of 72-78 degrees Fahrenheit. Singletails (with the inclusion of watonais, wakins and jikins-doubletails) are more tolerant to cooler waters.
 
NEVER PUT RTC, SHOVELNOSE or PREDATORY CATFISH IN GOLDFISH WATER! The temps are to low!
 
Cichla dude;4246600; said:
NEVER PUT RTC, SHOVELNOSE or PREDATORY CATFISH IN GOLDFISH WATER! The temps are to low!
How low of a temp?:confused: The only info you provided correctly is not to combine those specifics with goldies but you need to elaborate your side on the temperature issue rather than describe it.
 
Milpool;4244441; said:
Do NOT put a Plecostomus in with goldfish! The pleco will eat the slime coat off the goldfish at night while they are sleeping, eventually killing the goldfish. I have heard of bushynose plecos not bothering goldies, but i wouldn't trust it.

This only happens when the owner DOES NOT feed the pleco. I've kept plecos and goldfish together for 20 years and never...not even once has a pleco gone after a goldfish.
 
MonsterFishKeepers.com