Can I mix tetras with gold fish

Question
I just bought two tetras, an algae eater, 2 gold fish and an albino frog....These guys have been living together in a fresh water 5 gallon tank for about two days. I just found out that tetras are salt water fish, what can I do? Should I add salt to the tank or separate the fish? Also, the water is already cloudy, how do I solve this problem? I have a filter so I don't know what else to do! Please help, I really don't want to kill my little pets! If you could email me and let me know I would greatly appreciate it! (I'm sure they would greatly appreciate it too!)
Thank you!!

Answer
Hi Christina,
Are these your first fish? You should check out some good fishkeeping websites that will help answer many of your other questions and provide you with info to help you avoid the common mistakes new fishkeepers make.

Like this one -

http://www.aquariumlife.net/articles/beginner/136.asp


Tetras aren't technically saltwater fish of course... but many sources still recommend adding salt to aquariums but now more and more hobbyists are finding out and proving that salt is not needed and fish thrive and do extremely well without it. Its not a vital requirement and certain species of fish like some catfish and delicate skinned species can suffer from saltwater. So I would simply leave salt out of your aquarium. Its best reserved for treatment of sick fish, where it can be useful for discouraging parasites and some types of bacteria. But overall its not good just as a 'preventative'.

The water is cloudy from it being a new and unestablished setup, due to special good bacteria not yet being established and with the sudden introduction of fish and therefore the waste they produce - provides a nutrient overload and a bacteria explosion! The Cloudy water is not necessarily bad in itself but the cause is a need for concern. Excess waste like ammonia can be very dangerous to fish. Normally the good bacteria or "biofilter" as its often called will take care of it. But they are not yet settled and established in sufficient numbers to take care of the waste efficiently. So until then, the best thing to do is start doing daily 30% water changes on the aquarium. This may seem drastic but its best for the fish..They may be subject to poor water quality at this time and water changes will help them through until the biofilter can establish and keep the water safe which will be in about 4-6 weeks in most cases. You can test for ammonia and other important levels with a simple test kit from your petstore.

Goldfish and Tetras technically 'are' compatible. Neither fish will eat one another in most cases... But tropical fish and coolwater goldfish can't always thrive together. This is because-
1.) Goldfish can easily be bullied at mealtimes and not get their fair share

2.) Goldfish grow larger than most tropical species and will easily overcrowd your 5gal

3.) Goldfish produce more waste than other species their size and really need more spacious living quarters especially they grow and their bioload follows

4.) Sometimes the situation can be reversed and the goldfish bully the tetras with their bulky bodies, pushing them away from the food and intimidated the shy tetras

5.) Fancy goldfish can be harassed and have their fins nipped by tank-mates who find their flowing fins and clumsy swimming behavior tempting to pick and bite at. So beware of that.

Not that I'm trying to drill you here. Just letting you know the basics about mixing goldfish and tropicals. Many pet-stores still recommend mixing them together, and they also still recommend things and procedures to do to your aquarium that are completely wrong and unnecessary. So beware of petstore advice. ;)

Best of luck and I hope this helps!
Karen~