Freshwater Living Mates

Question
Hey Nicole,
     I have a 55 Gallon tank with 2 Red Ryukin goldfish and I have had them in a 5 Gallon tank for a while and they started to grow large and I noticed I needed a larger tank so I got them a 55 gallon and they have been in it for about 3 months.  I would say their size is medium and they are approximately 4 inches long.  Along with them I have one Plecostomus.  Today I went to a local Petco and got 3 small Zebra Danio fish, 2 small Cherry Barbs, and 1 small Starfire Glofish.  I am already thinking that I made a mistake because the goldfish are almost chasing the newly added smaller fish around.  I think they may be mistaking them as food flakes at times.  I have the old empty 5 gallon tank still, so would you suggest I put the 6 new small fish into the 5 gallon tank and maybe go get some more 'goldfish friendly' fish such as a Dojo Loach or a White Cloud to add into the 55 gallon tank? Thank You for your time!

      - Jason B.

Answer
Hi Jason,

What a great upgrade! From 5 gallons to 55 gallons - fantastic!

I know it seems empty having 2 goldfish in a 4 foot tank, but believe me, they'll grow into it and fill it up in due time. I have had 2 black moors in my 55 gallon for about 2 years now and only wish I had the money for a 75 gallon, I think that would be ideal for them.

I used to have about a dozen white clouds with my goldfish, but I could see that at feeding time they nipped at the white clouds in the feeding frenzy. I believe they actually ate a couple of the smaller ones. I separated them into my 30 gallon and they're doing better there by themselves, swimming into the flow of the powerhead all day.

4 Zebra danios (glofish are a genetically modified form) aren't going to act too naturally since they are a schooling fish, and the same with white clouds - they like to be in big numbers. 6 or more is really the minimum to make them happy and secure. One white cloud all by himself would be really nervous, and as goldfish get bigger they have a tendency to view smaller fish as food. It depends on the goldfish - sometimes it just doesn't work out, unfortunately.

Two cherry barbs would be ok in the 5 gallon, but zebra danios are very active and this tank is much too small for them...I wouldn't put them in there, myself. They need a tank at least 24" long.

I have had luck keeping snails with them (mystery snails and Columbian ramshorn snails) but not everyone reports the same success.

Weather aka dojo loaches are supposed to be some of the best companions for goldfish, so you could certainly give it a try! Just be prepared with a plan B if they don't ultimately get along. Another thing too is you might find the pleco outgrows the 55 gallon tank if he's a common pleco. Most mom and pop pet stores will trade in fish for you - chain pet stores like Petsmart and Petco won't, however.

Here are a few goldfish articles, give them a read whenever you get a chance - goldfish are surprisingly difficult to keep! Besides hard, alkaline, cool water, they also have some special dietary needs:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/FWSubWebIndex/goldfish101art.htm
http://wetwebmedia.com/FWSubWebIndex/gldfshmalnut.htm
http://bb.wetwebmedia.com/express.php?cat=3&mode=view&article=8

Take care,
Nicole