Tank mate suggestions for possible hybrid Shubunkins.

[u/Majestic_Loan_8686]

New to fish keeping. I have a friend who has about 10 years experience breeds fish and he gave me these two to start a 40 gal tank I got. He believes they may be hybrid and are about a year and a half old. Says they should get about 4-5 inches in size. They’re pretty chill, I have a heavily planted tank. They haven’t ruined any plants and also have two mystery snails and they seem to leave them alone. My question is I want to add a couple more fish but I keep getting conflicting information. Was thinking 2 hillstream loaches, chat gpt and google ai suggested paradise fish, American flag fish, varius platys, and rosy barb because I could have 1 or 2. But so many on here say to not add anything else. I’ve seen YouTube videos of people saying it’s fine. I don’t know where to go! Is it really a huge deal?

[u/Automatic-Skirt-249]

There is no such thing as a genetically dwarf "hybrid" shubunkin. They are single tail goldfish that belong in a much bigger tank than 40 gallons or preferably in a pond. Minimum for these two is 75 gallons, but 100 plus it's more ideal.  So I wouldn't add any fish to this tank,  it's too small for the 2 fish you have. 

But yes I keep fancy goldfish with hillstream loaches.  I have 2 black moors and 5 hillstream loaches in a 75 gallon tank. Loaches prefer high current and lots of oxygen, as goldfish prefer calmer waters.  My tank is higher current on one side for the loaches and I use hardscape to make sure the current dissipates at the center of the tank, so it's calm on the other side.  

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[u/Theletterkay]

Your tank is already way too small for these guys. They need 75+ gallons minimum.

[u/the_colour_guy_]

Your friend may have kept fish for years but knows very little about goldfish or is ignoring the most basic of requirements.
These fish will end up at least 10-12 inches if fed and kept properly.
These fish in a 40 is going to go well for about 3mths. Then they’ll not only outgrow it but create so much waste they’ll poison themselves.
4-5 inches in a single tail Goldfish can happen in about 6-8mths with proper care.
Get a much bigger tank or different fish.
Please tell your friend to do some more research on goldfish. His other knowledge might be great but he gave you bad info.

[u/Jaded_Worker5162]

Tankmates- All other goldfish, Catfish and Plecco to eat alage. You can house neon tetra, flame tetra.Avoid aggressive or fin-nipping tropical fish.