Can tiger barbs live with fancy goldfish?
Verdict
No
No. Tiger barbs and fancy goldfish should not share a tank. Fancy goldfish are coldwater animals (65–74°F); tiger barbs need 72–81°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); tiger barbs need 72–81°F. They overlap only at 72–74°F, the edge of both ranges.
- Deal breakerTiger barbs nip fins, and the long fins of fancy goldfish are an easy target.
What works
- pH 7–7.5 suits both.
Water side by side
Size to scale
Care at a glance
| Tiger barb | Fancy goldfish | |
|---|---|---|
| Temperature | 72–81 °F | 65–74 °F |
| pH | 6–7.5 | 7–8 |
| Adult size | 3.0 in | 6.0 in |
| Minimum tank | 30 gal | 30 gal |
| Temperament | Semi-aggressive | Peaceful |
| Swims at | Middle | All levels |
| Group | Groups of 6+ | Alone or in pairs |
| Diet | Omnivore | Omnivore |
Better tank mates for tiger barbs
Better tank mates for fancy goldfish
Questions
Can tiger barbs live with fancy goldfish?
No. Tiger barbs and fancy goldfish should not share a tank. Fancy goldfish are coldwater animals (65–74°F); tiger barbs need 72–81°F. They overlap only at 72–74°F, the edge of both ranges.
What temperature suits both tiger barbs and fancy goldfish?
72–74 °F. Tiger barbs need 72–81 °F, fancy goldfish need 65–74 °F.
What size tank do tiger barbs and fancy goldfish need together?
At least 30 gal, set by the tiger barb. Add space for each extra fish.