Since goldfish are cold water fish, one might get the idea that they would be a good tank mate for axolotl.
In fact, it is not a good idea to keep goldfish and axolotl in the same tank. Small goldfish will be eaten by the axolotl and on the other hand the axolotl itself runs the risk of being eaten if the goldfish is bigger than the axolotl.
Goldfish originate from rivers in China, where they have been bred since 1000 BC. They are popular pets for aquariums and ponds and come in many different varieties.
4 reasons why goldfish and axolotl can’t live together
1. Water temperature and filtration
Goldfish require water temperatures between 64 to 75 °F (18 and 24°C), which is at least partially in line with those of axolotls, which require temperatures between 53 to 68 °F (12 and 20°C).
However, axolotls like it colder rather than warmer and in goldfish the metabolism slows down considerably at temperatures below 57 to 50 °F (14 to 10 °C) and they stop eating.
In addition, goldfish produce a lot of feces, which increases ammonia levels in the tank. To keep the water quality in a good range, the aquarium would need a stronger filter.
2. Lights
Another aspect in which goldfish and axolotl require different conditions is lights.
Axolotls don’t need additional lights, they are most comfortable in dim conditions. Goldfish, on the other hand, need medium to bright lights to stay healthy.
3. Predator and prey
Small and young goldfish quickly run the risk of being eaten by the axolotl.
On the other hand, the axolotl can also become the prey of the goldfish. Adult goldfish grow to a size between 13 and 16 inches (35 and 40 cm), depending on the species, and are omnivores. So they won’t stop at smaller axolotls when they are hungry.
4. Risk of injury
Even if the axolotl and goldfish don’t try to eat each other, it doesn’t mean that the axolotl won’t be injured by the goldfish.
Since goldfish also feed on worms and larvae, they can quickly get the idea to eat the axolotl’s gills, which have some resemblance. Because axolotls aren’t particularly feisty animals, these attempts will stress them out at best, and at worst, the goldfish will nibble at the axolotl’s gills.
Conclusion
Goldfish and Axolotl shouldn’t be kept together. If you want to keep both animals, you should keep them in separate tanks. In general, Axolotls are best kept alone or with other Axolotls. Click here for another article about which animals you should never keep together with an Axolotl.