Tank mates for goldies?

[avalon]

So my Mums been at me for yonks to cut down on the number of tanks I had, so I made a deal, if she paid for a second hand 55g Id had my eye on, I'd dump 4 ten gallon tanks, which she agreed to, after a lot of moaning LOL>

So the occupants of the ten gallons have been moved around, and some had to go in he 55, so far all there is is one severely stunted goldy (he just never grew) who's an inch long, he's a black moore and 3 female guppies, who are the very sad remnants of a once booming population, my idiot brother read somewhere about feeding live fish to oscars, and proceeded to feed most of my colony to my oscar, I still can't believe he did it.

The only downfall of the tank, is it came with everything, bar lids, so I need fish that aren't likely to jump.

I'm not really interetsed in more goldies, I much prefer aggressive fish, but since Onyx is already in there, and theres no way I;m getting rid of him, I guess it;s going to have to be some sort of peaceful tank.

So does anyone have any suggestions? i prefer largish fish, or at least something that looks interesting LOL.

It's a pity common plecos cost so much here (generally over $100) otherwise I'd buy one and grow it out, two foot monster sounds interesting LOL.

Oh and the tanks temp is set to 22, it can be turned up or down if needed.

 

[pwnednoobs]

wow 100 bucks for a plec? where i am they cost as little as 5 dollars for a common plec.

 

[Dreamsofpeace54]

lol $ for a common pleco? ive gotten 3 for free. One over 12 inchs!

 

[Vicious_Fish]

How about a Chinese High-Fin Shark?

http://www.csupomona.edu/~jskoga/Aquariums/myxocyprinus/myxocyprinus.html

 

[ShadowBass]

Hi fin sharks are specialized, I don't really recommend them to most people.

There's a few people that just have had luck with them, but in general:

They need consistently cool water.
They are extremely nitrate sensitive.
They can be difficult to feed.
They are shoaling fish and don't necessarily feel comfortable by themselves.
They like a whole lot of current (something a fancy goldfish can't tolerate)
They max out at 3 feet long, albeit slow growers.

This isn't a fish that's likely to stay alive over a year or 2 without a tank specifically devoted to it and really good maintanance.
Not to mention these fish are critically endagered in china, so unless you're completely positive you can keep one alive you may want to think about that.

I felt bad enough when my own died. I spent months on him and he was eating and stuff, but our A/C stopped working right and tank got too hot and stressed him, not to mention a couple of other problems.

I wouldn't keep one again unless it was in a tank specifically devoted to them with a chiller. (of course it gets pretty hot here sometimes).
Below 22 degrees celsius is fine.

 

[avalon]

I live way out in Aus, unless I buy ill crummy expensive fish from petstores, I gotta buy from online sites, and the cheapest they go is $30 for a 3.5cm plec.

Hmmmm don;t think I'll go with a high fin shark, even if they were available, looks like too much maintenance and even more expensive equipment.

Anyone got any other suggestions?

 

[ShadowBass]

How about a dojo loaches? They like the same temps as your goldie and are non aggressive. The normal ones can possibly get a foot long but the gold dojos seem to stay smaller.
You'd want to try and monitor your water parameters regulary, but they're tough so it shouldn't be stressful to keep them healthy.
They like to be in groups, so 3 or more would be best.

 

[avalon]

Do they have another name? as the only loaches I know of are kuhlis, clowns, dwarf loaches and yoyos, are they any of those?

Hmm will go look em up

 

[avalon]

Just did a bit of research and it seems these guys are escape artists, not the ebst idea for a tank without a lid...

What about the chinese hillstream loach, it looks cool anyway...
http://www.livefish.com.au/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=405

Or what about aussie natives? Most of them get nice and big, most perch get around a foot, or theres the tandanus catfish, which is relatively easy to find...

Blah I wish I didn't have to keep Onyx inside, as there are plenty of predatory fish I'd love to have.

 

[ShadowBass]

Sorry, I missed the part about no lids. Yeah, they will escape.

I can't really think of any larger goldfish compatable fish that have never been known to jump.

If you coule make or buy a well fitting lid you would have a lot more options.