Best Clean Fish Companions for Goldfish: Mix & Match Ti

Goldfish are known for their petite figures and gentle dispositions. If you're considering adding a few cleaning fish to your goldfish tank, it's best to opt for species that are similarly small and mildtempered. It's not advisable to house goldfish with larger cleaning fish, as this could potentially harm them. Below, we'll delve into the key considerations for keeping cleaning fish in a goldfish tank.

What Cleaning Fish Bring to the Tank

1. Algae Eaters: Cleaning fish are renowned for their ability to keep algae at bay. When introduced to the tank, they diligently nibble away at the green growth on the tank walls and decorations, contributing to a cleaner and clearer environment.

2. Scavengers of Leftovers: These fish reside at the bottom of the tank, where they remain unobtrusive. Their primary role is to consume the leftover food particles that fish leave behind after meals. This not only helps maintain water quality but also reduces the likelihood of pollution, especially from live food remnants.

Additionally, cleaning fish are generally nonaggressive and do not camouflage themselves. They have a unique talent for cleaning the wounds of sick fish by removing necrotic tissue and pathogens, making them a sort of 'fish doctor' in the tank.

Important Considerations for Keeping Cleaning Fish with Goldfish

Goldfish typically don't cause significant water pollution, so they usually don't require cleaning fish companions. However, if you wish to enhance the aesthetics of your goldfish tank by adding cleaning fish, it's recommended to choose smaller, more docile species like the moss eater. These fish are unlikely to bully the goldfish and are a suitable match. Other cleaning fish like the plecostomus and the plecostomus are larger and might be too aggressive, so they're not ideal companions for goldfish.

It's important to note that while the addition of cleaning fish isn't mandatory, regular water changes and controlled feeding can help minimize waste and maintain water quality. Alternatively, installing a filtration system can significantly slow down water degradation and keep the tank conditions stable.

For those who decide to introduce cleaning fish, consider adding some longleaved Elodea plants to the tank to boost its visual appeal. However, Elodea is a large, ornamental plant that is better suited for larger goldfish. Therefore, ensure your tank is spacious enough to accommodate these plants. If your goldfish and tank are on the smaller side, you might want to consider planting shorter, easiertocarefor Crown of Thorns plants, which can also contribute to oxygenation through photosynthesis.

In summary, introducing cleaning fish to a goldfish tank is possible and can be beneficial. However, for the wellbeing of smaller goldfish, it's best to stick to smaller cleaning fish companions.