Can flowerhorns live with killifish?
Verdict
No
No. Flowerhorns and killifish should not share a tank. No shared temperature. Flowerhorns need 80–89°F, killifish need 70–77°F.
What to watch
- Deal breakerNo shared temperature. Flowerhorns need 80–89°F, killifish need 70–77°F.
- Deal breakerAn adult flowerhorn eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 2.5 inches killifish do.
- Deal breakerFlowerhorns are aggressive and will bully peaceful killifish.
- Watch outWater chemistry is a squeeze. The only pH that suits both is around 7.
- Watch outFlowerhorns grow to 12 inches and need 75 gallons, far more than a tank set up for killifish.
What works
- They use different parts of the tank: flowerhorns the mid, killifish the top.
Water side by side
Size to scale
Care at a glance
| Flowerhorn | Killifish | |
|---|---|---|
| Temperature | 80–89 °F | 70–77 °F |
| pH | 7–8 | 5.5–7 |
| Adult size | 12.0 in | 2.5 in |
| Minimum tank | 75 gal | 10 gal |
| Temperament | Aggressive | Peaceful |
| Swims at | Middle | Top |
| Group | One per tank | Alone or in pairs |
| Diet | Carnivore | Carnivore |
Better tank mates for killifish
Questions
Can flowerhorns live with killifish?
No. Flowerhorns and killifish should not share a tank. No shared temperature. Flowerhorns need 80–89°F, killifish need 70–77°F.
What temperature suits both flowerhorns and killifish?
None. Flowerhorns need 80–89 °F and killifish need 70–77 °F, so the ranges do not meet.
What size tank do flowerhorns and killifish need together?
At least 75 gal, set by the flowerhorn. Add space for each extra fish.