Pond Fish That Are Compatible With Goldfish

A number of cold water fish species are compatible with goldfish. Most pond fish tend to be peaceful and socialable and will typically accept pellet food. Care should be taken to ensure that the pond is correctly filtered and that oxygen levels are high, as many cold water fish species originate in fast flowing streams.

  1. Golden Orfe

    • This sleekly built fish prefers the upper layers of the pond. The golden orfe is more particular than goldfish when it comes to water quality, but are hardy fish in a correctly maintained garden pond. Orfe are active cold water fish and require high oxygen levels in the pond. The golden orfe is a social species and should be kept in small groups. These fish can be safely housed with goldfish, golden tench, koi and shabunkins, but will jump if placed in a pond that is too small. Golden orfe will readily accept a commercial pond fish diet, but actively prey on insects as well.

    Koi

    • Koi or Nishikigoi, are the result of several centuries of selective breeding of the common carp in Japan. Koi are available in limitless color combinations. The Japanese prefer a white fish with red patches, which they term a Kohaku. Koi are peaceful fish which soon become tame enough to accept food from the hobbyist's hand. These beautifully marked fish are sensitive to water quality and their pond should be correctly filtered. Koi are popular pond fish and quality specimens can cost thousands of dollars.

    Rosy Red Minnows

    • This little fish is a schooling species and can become aggressive during mating. They are small fish though and typically do not cause any problems in a pond. Rosy red minnows should be kept in groups of three, made up of one male to two female fish. These minnows are omnivorous and will feed on both aquatic vegetation and insects. Rosy red minnow will however accept a commercial pond fish diet. The rosy red minnow requires well oxygenated water and open spaces in the pond to swim. This small minnow will appreciate a strong current in the pond, if possible.

    Golden Tench

    • The gold variety of tench has been developed through selective breeding from the green tench. This attractive pond fish possesses a pair of sensory barbells at the corners of its mouth and spends most of its time foraging through the substrate for food items. The gold tench will eagerly accept a commercial pond fish pellet, but will feed on any small snails and worm that it finds. The gold tench breeds well in garden ponds and spawns more than once per year. The eggs of this species are normally attached to aquatic plants.