Can flowerhorns live with apistogramma?
Verdict
No
No. Flowerhorns and apistogramma should not share a tank. An adult flowerhorn eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 3 inches apistogramma do.
What to watch
- Deal breakerAn adult flowerhorn eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 3 inches apistogramma do.
- Deal breakerFlowerhorns are aggressive and much bigger than apistogramma.
- Watch outWater chemistry is a squeeze. The only pH that suits both is around 7.
What works
- Both are fine at 80–84°F.
- They use different parts of the tank: flowerhorns the mid, apistogramma the bottom.
Water side by side
Size to scale
Care at a glance
| Flowerhorn | Apistogramma | |
|---|---|---|
| Temperature | 80–89 °F | 75–84 °F |
| pH | 7–8 | 5–7 |
| Adult size | 12.0 in | 3.0 in |
| Minimum tank | 75 gal | 20 gal |
| Temperament | Aggressive | Semi-aggressive |
| Swims at | Middle | Bottom |
| Group | One per tank | Alone or in pairs |
| Diet | Carnivore | Carnivore |
Better tank mates for apistogramma
Questions
Can flowerhorns live with apistogramma?
No. Flowerhorns and apistogramma should not share a tank. An adult flowerhorn eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 3 inches apistogramma do.
What temperature suits both flowerhorns and apistogramma?
80–84 °F. Flowerhorns need 80–89 °F, apistogramma need 75–84 °F.
What size tank do flowerhorns and apistogramma need together?
At least 75 gal, set by the flowerhorn. Add space for each extra fish.