Can goldfish live with dwarf neon rainbowfish?

Verdict

No. Goldfish and dwarf neon rainbowfish should not share a tank. Goldfish are coldwater animals (60–74°F); dwarf neon rainbowfish need 75–82°F. No temperature suits both.

Goldfish60–74°F · pH 7–8

Dwarf neon rainbowfish75–82°F · pH 6.5–7.5

What to watch

Deal breakerGoldfish are coldwater animals (60–74°F); dwarf neon rainbowfish need 75–82°F. No temperature suits both.
Watch outA grown goldfish may treat small dwarf neon rainbowfish as food, especially at night.

What works

pH 7–7.5 suits both.

Water side by side

The ranges do not meet, so one of them would always be too warm or too cold.

The green band is the pH both tolerate.

Size to scale

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

	Goldfish	Dwarf neon rainbowfish
Temperature	60–74 °F	75–82 °F
pH	7–8	6.5–7.5
Adult size	10.0 in	2.5 in
Minimum tank	40 gal	20 gal
Temperament	Peaceful	Peaceful
Swims at	All levels	Middle
Group	Alone or in pairs	Groups of 6+
Diet	Omnivore	Omnivore

Better tank mates for goldfish

All goldfish tank mates

Better tank mates for dwarf neon rainbowfish

All dwarf neon rainbowfish tank mates

Questions

Can goldfish live with dwarf neon rainbowfish?

No. Goldfish and dwarf neon rainbowfish should not share a tank. Goldfish are coldwater animals (60–74°F); dwarf neon rainbowfish need 75–82°F. No temperature suits both.

What temperature suits both goldfish and dwarf neon rainbowfish?

None. Goldfish need 60–74 °F and dwarf neon rainbowfish need 75–82 °F, so the ranges do not meet.

What size tank do goldfish and dwarf neon rainbowfish need together?

At least 40 gal, set by the goldfish. Add space for each extra fish.