What type of algae eaters would be good with a common goldfish in a 20 gallon tank?

Question

What type of algae eaters would be good with a common goldfish in a 20 gallon tank?

Answer 1

Short Answer: None.

They have a bad habit of feeding on the slime coat of goldfish, which will eventually kill the goldfish. Also, many species have spines on their fins they use for defense. Your goldfish will inevitably bump into them and get speared. I've never had any goldfish dies from the wounds, but they cause stress to the fish.  

Answer 2

plecostomus's work well with goldfish. just get 1 small one, they grow larger eventually. If it get's too large, petco and some petstores will usually let you trade it in and get another one.

Answer 3

Flower shrimp!  They're super cool and they are fun to watch when they are eating (which is all the time).  Just make sure your aquarium has been set up for at least a month, because they eat micro-organisms that aren't present in a newly set up fish tank.

Just remember that no algae eater you get will replace frequent water changes, especially with goldfish since they're really dirty!  Aim for 20-25% water change once a week.

Answer 4

It is best for every algae eater not to go into a goldfish tank. Goldfish are extremely dirty and produce way too much ammonia, which can be too much for the. I completely agree with fish man, plecos, no matter how hardy, cannot definitely NOT withstand such conditions in goldfish tanks. They demand opposite temperatures. I am not being rude, just trying my best to help you understand that goldfish should only live with goldfish.

Go with a plain old freshwater snail. They are very easy to care for, will eat what the fish produces easily, and will do perfectly in that water temperature.

Good luck!

Please email for further questions.

Answer 5

not advisable all goldfish and koi keepers I know sold their pleco it will stuck in your fish during night time create greater damage than good

kOi keeper & goldfish keeper.

Answer 6

most if not all algae eaters are tropical

this includes

plecos

CAE

SAE

oto

etc

so i suggest you just get an apple snail

they do eat plants though

most hillstreem loaches are cold water but they might not be able to withstand the goldfish's  ammonia

anyone who recommends plecostomus are wrong

they need tropical water

also a common goldfish will eventually need a 50 gallon

Answer 7

i recomend a pleco, not that im saying it is the perfect invironment for them but plecos are the hardiest fish ive ever owned and youll still get plenty of years out of one without 80 degree water, plus a 2-3 inch one only costs around 3$ at petco

trust me, i had an unheated fish tank mabye 10 years back with a pleco and 2 goldfish, the goldfish died within 5 years and the pleco was still alive when the goldfish died (gave the pleco away after the goldfish died) and i live in wisconsin so if a pleco can laste over 5 years in a unheated tank -especially in the wisconsin winters im pretty sure they could live in yours