Adopting fish---Fish compatibility

Question
I have the opportunity to get a free 20 gallon tank from someone who is moving and cannot take the fish with him. His tank contains three cherry barbs, two kuhli loaches, and one red-tail shark. I currently have a comet goldfish so naturally I am wondering if he will be an acceptable tankmate for these other fish. I don't want anyone being attacked...or eaten :) Thanks!

Answer
Hi Jessica;

They aren't compatible I'm afraid. Those guys are tropical and your goldfish is coldwater. The shark might hurt your goldfish and/or the goldfish could eat the cherry barbs if his mouth is big enough too. Just not good all the way around. Even though the temperature requirements are different, goldfish, cherry barbs and redtailed 'sharks' are all in the same family. They're carp!

Get your goldie it's own 10 gallon tank with a good power filter and he will be very happy all by himself.

Here is a list of web pages about all your fish so you know more about them;

Goldfish;

http://www.fishprofiles.com/files/profiles/466.htm
http://www.flippersandfins.net/goldfishcaresheet.htm

Cherry Barbs;

http://www.fishprofiles.com/files/profiles/505.htm
http://www.aquahobby.com/gallery/e_cherry.php

Redtailed Shark;

http://www.fishprofiles.com/files/profiles/264.htm
http://www.aquariacentral.com/fishinfo/fresh/rtshark.shtml

Kuhli Loach;

http://www.fishprofiles.com/files/profiles/613.htm
http://www.loaches.com/species_pages/kloach.html

Have fun with your new guys!

At Your Service;
Chris Robbins