Can fancy goldfish live with cherry barbs?

Verdict
No

No. Fancy goldfish and cherry barbs should not share a tank. Fancy goldfish are coldwater animals (65–74°F); cherry barbs need 73–81°F. They overlap only at 73–74°F, the edge of both ranges.

Fancy goldfishFancy goldfish65–74°F · pH 7–8 Cherry barbCherry barb73–81°F · pH 6–7.5

What to watch

What works

Water side by side

55°60°65°70°75°80°85°90°Both: 73–74°Fancy goldfish 65–74°Cherry barb 73–81°
The green band is the temperature range both can live in.
456789Both: 7–7.5Fancy goldfish 7–8Cherry barb 6–7.5
The green band is the pH both tolerate.

Size to scale

Fancy goldfish · 6 inCherry barb · 2 in0"1"2"3"4"5"6"
Adult length in an aquarium. A fish can swallow anything that fits in its mouth, roughly a third to half its own length for predators.

Care at a glance

Fancy goldfishCherry barb
Temperature65–74 °F73–81 °F
pH7–86–7.5
Adult size6.0 in2.0 in
Minimum tank30 gal20 gal
TemperamentPeacefulPeaceful
Swims atAll levelsMiddle
GroupAlone or in pairsGroups of 6+
DietOmnivoreOmnivore

Better tank mates for fancy goldfish

All fancy goldfish tank mates

Better tank mates for cherry barbs

All cherry barb tank mates

Questions

Can fancy goldfish live with cherry barbs?

No. Fancy goldfish and cherry barbs should not share a tank. Fancy goldfish are coldwater animals (65–74°F); cherry barbs need 73–81°F. They overlap only at 73–74°F, the edge of both ranges.

What temperature suits both fancy goldfish and cherry barbs?

73–74 °F. Fancy goldfish need 65–74 °F, cherry barbs need 73–81 °F.

What size tank do fancy goldfish and cherry barbs need together?

At least 30 gal, set by the fancy goldfish. Add space for each extra fish.