Two of the most common fish species found in home aquariums are angelfish and goldfish.
Naturally, people expect that they can live in the same tank. But before trying anything fancy, it would be a good idea to have all the relevant information to make the right decision.
In this article, we’ll answer the question: can angelfish live with goldfish?Let’s find out.
Can Angelfish Live With Goldfish?
The simple answer is no, Goldfish and Angelfish are two different types of fish that cannot live together in the same tank because they need totally opposite environments to thrive. Goldfish originate from more cold climates while Angels come from warmer water, which means their personalities will be very hard for one another to tolerate as well!
Let’s a closer look reveals why this is a bad idea.
Temperature
Goldfish and angelfish thrive in different temperatures. Goldfish are more at home in cold water conditions while angelfish, being a tropical fish, prefers warmer waters.
Understandably, it’s impossible to maintain contrasting temperatures in the same tank. While goldfish do well in temperatures ranging between 62 and 72 degrees Fahrenheit, angelfish can only live when the aquarium temperature is above 75 degrees Fahrenheit.
Failing to provide proper temperature conditions for either species will lead to several health issues, including sickness, aggressive behavior, lack of appetite, or even death.
Diet
Angelfish and goldfish have many of the same dietary requirements, they’re both omnivores, but angelfish need more protein than the average goldfish does!
They can eat the same things, including mosquito larvae, bloodworms, and brine shrimp. Perfectly cut-up vegetables such as mustard greens or collards also work well if fed to goldfish in higher quantities.
Breeding Issues
You need to have a clear knowledge of the breeding habits of both angelfish and goldfish. During the spawning phase, fish are highly sensitive, and a crowded tank may lead to stress.
Everything from the water conditions to the room’s atmosphere must be ideal, ensuring that they can breed and take care of the eggs. Fish are easily spooked, and even sudden movements might endanger reproduction.
Moreover, angelfish are notorious for eating their eggs. It takes the male and female fish several spawning cycles before they become devoted parents.
Unsurprisingly, if the goldfish lay eggs in the same tank, there’s a high chance that the angelfish might gobble them up.
Tank Size
Although angelfish aren’t very big, goldfish can grow to several times the size of their freshwater counterparts. While you can keep one angelfish in 4 gallons of water, even a baby goldfish needs at least 5 gallons of water.
As they continue to grow, Goldfish require 10 gallons of water, while fully grown goldfish need 25-30 gallons of water. Understandably, it isn’t easy to have a big enough tank to accommodate both species.
Keeping angelfish and goldfish in a smaller tank will lead to health issues, disease outbreaks, and even death. So, we suggest that you avoid overcrowding.
On the other hand, Goldfish, like most fish prefer longer tanks because it gives them more swimming room, however, angelfish need tall tanks due to their deep bodies.
pH Level
An important factor why angelfish and goldfish can’t live together is that they need different pH levels to survive. Being more sensitive, goldfish do better when the pH value is between 7.2 and 7.6.
In contrast, angelfish are resilient and can survive in conditions with a pH value between 6.5 and 7.1. In fact, 6.8 is the ideal pH level for their breeding cycle.
Long story short, there’s no way for you to maintain different pH levels in the same tank. Any change to the pH value severely affects both angelfish and goldfish, leading to health issues, among other things.
Tank Maintenance & Cleaning
Goldfish produce a lot of waste, meaning it’s important to change the water regularly, and they need good filtration system. In comparison, angelfish are low-maintenance, but they have their perks as well.
It’s essential to keep your fish healthy, as they get stressed very easily, and maintaining a clean tank with fresh water should be your priority. Failing to do so might lead to high ammonia level, shocking behavioral changes, causing them to turn on each other.
Angelfish prefer serene planted tanks while goldfish are not the best tank mates for plants. In fact, they may kill most of them! Goldfish should be kept in a species only setup to avoid any damage on their behalf and out of consideration for those who might want an aquarium with live plants.
Conclusion
It is really not recommended that keeping angelfish and goldfish in the same tank. Looking after fish requires a lot of dedication, and it’s best not to have two different species with varying needs living in the same tank.
Instead, I’d recommend keeping them separately, as that way you can give each of them the specific conditions they need.
Happy fish keeping!
