Can hillstream loaches live with flowerhorns?
Verdict
No
No. Hillstream loaches and flowerhorns should not share a tank. No shared temperature. Hillstream loaches need 68–75°F, flowerhorns need 80–89°F.
What to watch
- Deal breakerNo shared temperature. Hillstream loaches need 68–75°F, flowerhorns need 80–89°F.
- Deal breakerAn adult flowerhorn eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 2.5 inches hillstream loaches do.
- Deal breakerFlowerhorns are aggressive and will bully peaceful hillstream loaches.
What works
- pH 7–7.5 suits both.
- They use different parts of the tank: hillstream loaches the bottom, flowerhorns the mid.
Water side by side
Size to scale
Care at a glance
| Hillstream loach | Flowerhorn | |
|---|---|---|
| Temperature | 68–75 °F | 80–89 °F |
| pH | 6.5–7.5 | 7–8 |
| Adult size | 2.5 in | 12.0 in |
| Minimum tank | 20 gal | 75 gal |
| Temperament | Peaceful | Aggressive |
| Swims at | Bottom | Middle |
| Group | Groups of 3+ | One per tank |
| Diet | Herbivore | Carnivore |
Better tank mates for hillstream loaches
All hillstream loach tank mates
Questions
Can hillstream loaches live with flowerhorns?
No. Hillstream loaches and flowerhorns should not share a tank. No shared temperature. Hillstream loaches need 68–75°F, flowerhorns need 80–89°F.
What temperature suits both hillstream loaches and flowerhorns?
None. Hillstream loaches need 68–75 °F and flowerhorns need 80–89 °F, so the ranges do not meet.
What size tank do hillstream loaches and flowerhorns need together?
At least 75 gal, set by the flowerhorn. Add space for each extra fish.