Can fancy goldfish live with tinfoil barbs?
Verdict
No
No. Fancy goldfish and tinfoil barbs should not share a tank. Fancy goldfish are coldwater animals (65–74°F); tinfoil barbs need 72–80°F. They overlap only at 72–74°F, the edge of both ranges.
What to watch
- Deal breakerFancy goldfish are coldwater animals (65–74°F); tinfoil barbs need 72–80°F. They overlap only at 72–74°F, the edge of both ranges.
- Deal breakerTinfoil barbs nip fins, and the long fins of fancy goldfish are an easy target.
- Watch outTinfoil barbs grow to 12 inches and need 125 gallons, far more than a tank set up for fancy goldfish.
What works
- pH 7–7.5 suits both.
Water side by side
Size to scale
Care at a glance
| Fancy goldfish | Tinfoil barb | |
|---|---|---|
| Temperature | 65–74 °F | 72–80 °F |
| pH | 7–8 | 6.5–7.5 |
| Adult size | 6.0 in | 12.0 in |
| Minimum tank | 30 gal | 125 gal |
| Temperament | Peaceful | Peaceful |
| Swims at | All levels | Middle |
| Group | Alone or in pairs | Groups of 5+ |
| Diet | Omnivore | Omnivore |
Better tank mates for fancy goldfish
Better tank mates for tinfoil barbs
Questions
Can fancy goldfish live with tinfoil barbs?
No. Fancy goldfish and tinfoil barbs should not share a tank. Fancy goldfish are coldwater animals (65–74°F); tinfoil barbs need 72–80°F. They overlap only at 72–74°F, the edge of both ranges.
What temperature suits both fancy goldfish and tinfoil barbs?
72–74 °F. Fancy goldfish need 65–74 °F, tinfoil barbs need 72–80 °F.
What size tank do fancy goldfish and tinfoil barbs need together?
At least 125 gal, set by the tinfoil barb. Add space for each extra fish.