Can flowerhorns live with lemon tetras?
Verdict
No
No. Flowerhorns and lemon tetras should not share a tank. An adult flowerhorn eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 2 inches lemon tetras do.
What to watch
- Deal breakerAn adult flowerhorn eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 2 inches lemon tetras do.
- Deal breakerFlowerhorns are aggressive and will bully peaceful lemon tetras.
- Watch outFlowerhorns grow to 12 inches and need 75 gallons, far more than a tank set up for lemon tetras.
What works
- Both are fine at 80–82°F.
- pH 7–7.5 suits both.
Water side by side
Size to scale
Care at a glance
| Flowerhorn | Lemon tetra | |
|---|---|---|
| Temperature | 80–89 °F | 72–82 °F |
| pH | 7–8 | 5.5–7.5 |
| Adult size | 12.0 in | 2.0 in |
| Minimum tank | 75 gal | 15 gal |
| Temperament | Aggressive | Peaceful |
| Swims at | Middle | Middle |
| Group | One per tank | Groups of 6+ |
| Diet | Carnivore | Omnivore |
Better tank mates for lemon tetras
Questions
Can flowerhorns live with lemon tetras?
No. Flowerhorns and lemon tetras should not share a tank. An adult flowerhorn eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 2 inches lemon tetras do.
What temperature suits both flowerhorns and lemon tetras?
80–82 °F. Flowerhorns need 80–89 °F, lemon tetras need 72–82 °F.
What size tank do flowerhorns and lemon tetras need together?
At least 75 gal, set by the flowerhorn. Add space for each extra fish.