Can You Put Goldfish & Bluegill Together in a Tank?

Bluegill are a common fish found east of the Rocky Mountains in the United States, from Virginia down to Florida. Goldfish are found all over the world and are used as either feeder fish or decorative pond fish like koi. The two fish may be compatible together in a home aquarium under ideal conditions.

  1. Tank Size

    • Goldfish may grow up to a maximum of 11 to 12 inches long in the home aquarium depending on variety, according to Aquarium Industries. Bluegills will reach around 16 inches in length. A large aquarium of at least 100 gallons would be required to possibly keep the two fish in one tank. A tank that is too small will quickly become poisoned by the excessive waste products. The close proximity of the two species may lead to aggression from the bluegills.

    Temperature Compatibility and pH Requirements

    • Bluegills and goldfish both have similar temperature ranges. Goldfish prefer water between 65 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit while bluegill prefer temperatures between 65 and 72 degrees Fahrenheit. Therefore, the temperature will not be an issue when keeping the two fish in a tank together. The exception is fancy varieties of goldfish, which require temperatures as high as 78 degrees Fahrenheit, according to Aquarium Industries. Bluegill and goldfish have similar pH requirements. Both fish prefer neutral (7.0) pH but are tolerant of slightly higher or lower readings.

    Food Issues

    • Goldfish will subsist on flake food, daphnia and tubifex worms while bluegills prefer insects, worms and smaller feeder fish like minnows. The two fish will have to be fed with separate food items if kept together in the same tank. You will have to provide enough food so that both fish species are properly fed. Bluegills are faster than the sluggish goldfish, so you will need to take great care when feeding.

    Goldfish in General

    • It is not recommended that goldfish are kept with other types of fish. They prefer heavily oxygenated water that other fish may not be accustomed to. They also produce more waste than other fish, leading to ammonia spikes. Goldfish tend to dirty the water because of their excessive waste excretion, which requires a more powerful filter than otherwise needed.

    Conclusion

    • Goldfish and bluegill have similar water requirements and it is possible that they can be kept together in a single tank. However, whether or not two fish species will get along is somewhat subjective and it is always possible that the bluegills will nip and hurt the goldfish, which are far more delicate. Bluegills also have sharp spines that could potentially damage the goldfish. The two species also have different needs for feeding, and maintaining acceptable water quality may be a challenge. You must take extreme caution and monitor your fish vigilantly if you attempt to keep the two together in a tank.