Can flowerhorns live with hatchetfish?
Verdict
No
No. Flowerhorns and hatchetfish should not share a tank. An adult flowerhorn eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 1.5 inches hatchetfish do.
What to watch
- Deal breakerAn adult flowerhorn eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 1.5 inches hatchetfish do.
- Deal breakerFlowerhorns are aggressive and will bully peaceful hatchetfish.
- Watch outThey only share 80–81°F. Keep the heater set there and steady.
What works
- pH 7–7.5 suits both.
- They use different parts of the tank: flowerhorns the mid, hatchetfish the top.
Water side by side
Size to scale
Care at a glance
| Flowerhorn | Hatchetfish | |
|---|---|---|
| Temperature | 80–89 °F | 75–81 °F |
| pH | 7–8 | 5.5–7.5 |
| Adult size | 12.0 in | 1.5 in |
| Minimum tank | 75 gal | 20 gal |
| Temperament | Aggressive | Peaceful |
| Swims at | Middle | Top |
| Group | One per tank | Groups of 6+ |
| Diet | Carnivore | Carnivore |
Better tank mates for hatchetfish
Questions
Can flowerhorns live with hatchetfish?
No. Flowerhorns and hatchetfish should not share a tank. An adult flowerhorn eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 1.5 inches hatchetfish do.
What temperature suits both flowerhorns and hatchetfish?
80–81 °F. Flowerhorns need 80–89 °F, hatchetfish need 75–81 °F.
What size tank do flowerhorns and hatchetfish need together?
At least 75 gal, set by the flowerhorn. Add space for each extra fish.