Can fancy goldfish live with firemouth cichlids?

Verdict
No

No. Fancy goldfish and firemouth cichlids should not share a tank. Fancy goldfish are coldwater animals (65–74°F); firemouth cichlids need 75–86°F. No temperature suits both.

Fancy goldfishFancy goldfish65–74°F · pH 7–8 Firemouth cichlidFiremouth cichlid75–86°F · pH 6.5–8

What to watch

What works

Water side by side

55°60°65°70°75°80°85°90°Fancy goldfish 65–74°Firemouth cichlid 75–86°
The ranges do not meet, so one of them would always be too warm or too cold.
456789Both: 7–8Fancy goldfish 7–8Firemouth cichlid 6.5–8
The green band is the pH both tolerate.

Size to scale

Fancy goldfish · 6 inFiremouth cichlid · 6 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 goldfishFiremouth cichlid
Temperature65–74 °F75–86 °F
pH7–86.5–8
Adult size6.0 in6.0 in
Minimum tank30 gal30 gal
TemperamentPeacefulSemi-aggressive
Swims atAll levelsBottom
GroupAlone or in pairsAlone or in pairs
DietOmnivoreOmnivore

Better tank mates for fancy goldfish

All fancy goldfish tank mates

Better tank mates for firemouth cichlids

All firemouth cichlid tank mates

Questions

Can fancy goldfish live with firemouth cichlids?

No. Fancy goldfish and firemouth cichlids should not share a tank. Fancy goldfish are coldwater animals (65–74°F); firemouth cichlids need 75–86°F. No temperature suits both.

What temperature suits both fancy goldfish and firemouth cichlids?

None. Fancy goldfish need 65–74 °F and firemouth cichlids need 75–86 °F, so the ranges do not meet.

What size tank do fancy goldfish and firemouth cichlids need together?

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