Can otocinclus live with flowerhorns?
Verdict
No
No. Otocinclus and flowerhorns should not share a tank. No shared temperature. Otocinclus need 72–79°F, flowerhorns need 80–89°F.
What to watch
- Deal breakerNo shared temperature. Otocinclus need 72–79°F, flowerhorns need 80–89°F.
- Deal breakerAn adult flowerhorn eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 2 inches otocinclus do.
- Deal breakerFlowerhorns are aggressive and will bully peaceful otocinclus.
What works
- pH 7–7.5 suits both.
- They use different parts of the tank: otocinclus the bottom, flowerhorns the mid.
Water side by side
Size to scale
Care at a glance
| Otocinclus | Flowerhorn | |
|---|---|---|
| Temperature | 72–79 °F | 80–89 °F |
| pH | 6–7.5 | 7–8 |
| Adult size | 2.0 in | 12.0 in |
| Minimum tank | 20 gal | 75 gal |
| Temperament | Peaceful | Aggressive |
| Swims at | Bottom | Middle |
| Group | Groups of 6+ | One per tank |
| Diet | Herbivore | Carnivore |
Better tank mates for otocinclus
Questions
Can otocinclus live with flowerhorns?
No. Otocinclus and flowerhorns should not share a tank. No shared temperature. Otocinclus need 72–79°F, flowerhorns need 80–89°F.
What temperature suits both otocinclus and flowerhorns?
None. Otocinclus need 72–79 °F and flowerhorns need 80–89 °F, so the ranges do not meet.
What size tank do otocinclus and flowerhorns need together?
At least 75 gal, set by the flowerhorn. Add space for each extra fish.