Can flowerhorns live with pencilfish?
Verdict
No
No. Flowerhorns and pencilfish should not share a tank. An adult flowerhorn eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 2 inches pencilfish do.
What to watch
- Deal breakerAn adult flowerhorn eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 2 inches pencilfish do.
- Deal breakerFlowerhorns are aggressive and will bully peaceful pencilfish.
- Watch outFlowerhorns grow to 12 inches and need 75 gallons, far more than a tank set up for pencilfish.
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 | Pencilfish | |
|---|---|---|
| Temperature | 80–89 °F | 75–82 °F |
| pH | 7–8 | 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 pencilfish
Questions
Can flowerhorns live with pencilfish?
No. Flowerhorns and pencilfish should not share a tank. An adult flowerhorn eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 2 inches pencilfish do.
What temperature suits both flowerhorns and pencilfish?
80–82 °F. Flowerhorns need 80–89 °F, pencilfish need 75–82 °F.
What size tank do flowerhorns and pencilfish need together?
At least 75 gal, set by the flowerhorn. Add space for each extra fish.