Can an angelfish live with fancy goldfish?
Edited by Marin Hale · last reviewed November 6, 2026
No.
Fancy goldfish need cool water; angelfish need tropical water.
Why it doesn’t work
Angelfish need tropical water between 75 and 86°F, while fancy goldfish do best in cooler water between 65 and 74°F. The two ranges don't overlap, so any single temperature leaves one species too cold or too warm. Cold stresses angelfish, and warmth stresses goldfish; either one makes both fish more prone to illness over time. The other checks pass (pH, hardness, size, fins, temperament), but they can't make up for the temperature gap.
If they’re already together
- Set up a second tank (at least 30 gallons for the angelfish) and move one species out as soon as you can. Until then, keep a close eye on both fish for signs of temperature stress, such as clamped fins, lethargy or loss of appetite.
- Separate the fish IMMEDIATELY if you see any injury (torn or split fins, wounds, missing scales, bite marks) or if one fish is repeatedly chased, cornered or pinned. Brief flaring or a few chases in the first hours is normal. Both species have long, delicate fins, so don't wait to see whether it settles down.
- Don't try to find a middle temperature. Anywhere between the two ranges leaves at least one species outside its comfortable range.
Instead: Keep angelfish in a heated tank of at least 30 gallons at 75–86°F, and keep fancy goldfish in their own unheated or cool tank at 65–74°F (at least 20 gallons). Pick tankmates for each species that suit its own temperature range.
How we reached this verdict
| Problem | Water temperature | Fancy goldfish need cool water; angelfish need tropical water. |
|---|---|---|
| Pass | pH | Both are comfortable at pH 6.8–7.5. |
| Pass | Water hardness | Both handle water hardness of 8–15 dGH. |
| Pass | Size and appetite | Neither is small enough to be eaten by the other. |
| Pass | Fins | No fin-nipping risk. |
| Pass | Temperament | Temperaments are compatible. |
Side by side
| Trait | Angelfish | Fancy goldfish |
|---|---|---|
| Tolerates | 75–86°F (24–30°C) | 65–74°F (18–23°C) |
| pH | 6–7.5 | 6.8–8.4 |
| Adult size | 5–6 in | 6–8 in |
| Temperament | Semi-aggressive | Peaceful |
| Smallest tank | 30 gallons (114 L) | 20 gallons (76 L) |
| Keep at least | 1 (fine alone) | — |
| Swims | — | Bottom |
Better tank mates for an angelfish
More angelfish pairings
Verdicts come from cross-checked species data and our compatibility rules. How verdicts work · Fancy goldfish care