I got three new fish for my tank, two commons and one cichlid. The guy at the store is a "fish doctor", and is very knowledgable and caring about fish. He said the cichlid would go fine with the goldies, because he is so small, and the other fish are much bigger. Now I have been told by some of you guys that cichlids are tropicals, but mine looks healthy and fine in his freshwater tank. I wanted to go back and get another of the tiny cichlids for my tank today, but now I don't know what I should do!

I see this as an excuse to get a new tank. What happens when they get big? A predator is a predator, no matter how long he has been with the others. And cichlids will kill eachother sometimes, so a goldfish would be an easy target.

Why don't you get a small tank and set it up just for cichlids? That way you dont have to return the one you already have and everyone will be safe.

i agree with chishower - a new tank would be your best option.

You really need to find out what type of cichlid it is. Some stay small and others grow huge, some are aggressive and others not so. Go back to the shop and ask him.
In fact, i would take the cichlid back and get a refund as they are tropical fish. It may look ok now but it will get sick.

ok, tropicals are fresh water, but warm water. In summer months, a heaterless aquarium often is fine for them, but if the temp drops below 75 degrees f, their going to be ill.

Goldies are cold water, and prefer much cooler waters

Also, cichlids are very territorial. Africans, while technicly vegitarian, will activly attack other fish in their territory... (and will eat small goldfish and minnows readily) South american cichlids are carnivorouse, so there ya go.

If you really like Eddie, you could always set up a habitat for him. Find out how big he's gunna get and set up an appropriet tank.

I forget what type of cichlid eddie is, but he only gets to be a couple inches long. Not much bigger than the other fish currently are. Er...I went back to the store and talked to the fish doctor guy, and he said that they are extremely hardy fish, and will be fine with my goldies, as the water is always an acceptable temp for them. (Around 24 Celsius) And then I couldn't resist getting another cichlid, because I feel confident that they will be fine. His name is Lemony Snicket. My mom came up with the idea.

if their what i think they are, then it wont matter how small they are.. they'll be terrors soon enough. just wtach for nipped fins, ok? please? and have an extra tank or divider ready?

I'd be a little worried about a LFS that suggest Cichlids & Goldies can be buddies. I think your goldies are okay for now but WILL be on the dinner menu eventually!!

Good luck though!!

(Aren't cichlids warm water fish?)

Everyone is right, Cichlids are nasty little fish to put with GF, they just don't get along.
Please remember that the store guy is in the business for selling and often are not educated in the area in which they are in charge.
We here are in no way trying to sell you something, we only care about what happens to you and the fish.

The gf are safe for now but guaranteed one day you will wake up and find a hurt gf.

I wonder if they are kribs. goes to get a pic....
here are my kribs to give you an idea. If that is them then you are in trouble.

I dont know what the deal is with Cichlids and Goldfish being in the same tank, but aren't Cichlids territorial fish?

If so, I think you better give the Cichlids something that they can claim to keep them happy.

If theres just the one then there shouldnt be too much of a problem, but putting two in will probably cause war especially if they both are males. Most cichlids like to chew on flowing fins and if the cichlids turn out to be a pair then they could easily kill them. if you got convicts, which most pet shops cant get rid of then your goldfish will be dead in a couple of months time or sooner as like most cichlids they are territorially aggressive.
How big is your tank?

convicts
http://badmanstropicalfish.com/profiles/profile58.html

I still don't remember what kind they are, but they seem less aggressive than others that I have seen. They are small, and yellow. They seem to be getting along quite well with my goldies! I will watch for any fin damage or anything, but my fishies are looking friendly to each other.

Is he something like this?

http://www.cichlids.com/albums/malawi/labi...ellow.thumb.jpg

Wow.......risk your goldies if you want to....and IT IS A TOTAL RISK!!

The cichlids may be playing nice right now but they WILL at least tear up your goldies! But I would bet that in the not too far future you will wake up to find goldie PIECES in your tank. They are Omnivores......they will eat the flakes, pellets and grow & be healthy, but they will want meat!!

My dad had them when I was younger, and don't get me wrong...they are beautiful & interesting fish! But friendly to other species...nnnoooooo! Sweet goldies wouldn't have a chance.

Yes Koko! They look just like that!

Not great hun. They are the peaceful of all the chiclids but they need a totally different enviroment of the goldfish including rocks and sand and goldfish dont like those at all...

http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_Di...d=21&pCatId=839

get your money back fish docter my a## money docter maybe trying to get as much money as he can

Yes, definitely not good, cichlids should NEVER go with goldfish, no matter how peaceful they are, even little Kribbies, they are very territorial and will attack your goldies in time, lets say they have a much more 'wild' personality, and will be fin-nippers and then fish eaters as they grow older. If you like the cichlids maybe you should get a new, separate tank, or (argh no!) get rid of your goldies. This 'fish doctor' of yours sounds a little bit of a scammer, I wouldn't trust everything this person says...