When you bring home a beautiful and colorful fish like the Flowerhorn Cichlid, you will have many questions regarding its living style, habitat, tankmates, and much more. This fish is not only expensive, but it also has a unique appearance. It is attractive and regarded as a good luck charm in Feng shui, said to bring good fortune and good luck to your home. Naturally, you will be concerned about how to care for it once you have brought it home. So what are the Large Fish That Can Live With Flowerhorn, can you guess?
Since so many questions come to your mind regarding the Flowerhorn. A question about the compatible tank mates for your fish might also arise in your mind. You might be thinking about whether a larger fish could be compatible with your big-headed fish or not. You can choose from a number of tankmates such as Arowana, Bichir, Giant Gourami, and much more.
This article is going to cover all the required information related to the compatibility and requirements of keeping a larger fish than your Flowerhorn with each other.
Can Flowerhorn Fish Live Together?
Certainly, these fish could find common ground. It may live side by side with a companion, other Flowerhorn fish, and even certain other types of fish. You need to understand how to maintain a favorable living ground so they can survive together and live more peacefully. You should also be knowledgeable of the fishes that the Flowerhorn would enjoy living with the most.
The Flowerhorn can only stay with a specific group of fish, according to a list. Because Flowerhorn is aggressive about its territory and resists intruders, the list isn’t that long. It takes time and patience to develop friendships with other fish because of this. It does, however, get along with some fish.
Keeping FlowerHorn Happy With Right Tankmates
You must first recognize that the Flowerhorn is a highly special fish before you can choose the appropriate fishes that can live in the same aquarium as one. It is a hybrid fish and unquestionably one of the most fascinating. Flowerhorns are an ornament that is truly worth having in your home because of their extraordinary temperament, personality, aesthetic, body structure, and elegant colors. You can use an aquarium filled with one or more gorgeous Flowerhorns to spruce up your house or place of business.
The pet owner is now faced with the choice as to whether to keep the fish alone, with a Flowerhorn mate or with other fish of various species. You could consider the arrangement since you would want to keep your fish comfortable and in a positive mood, and you really wouldn’t want to feel isolated. You should be aware, nevertheless, that the Flowerhorns have an aggressive temperament and outlook on the unfamiliar. Even if it takes some time, the fish eventually becomes friendly with the owner after a few days of daily feedings. Therefore, it is expected that it will take some time for you to get along with your fellow aquarium friends as well.
Ideal Conditions For Tankmates
There are some requirements and statistics to be met before you combine or pair up any other large fishes with the Flowerhorn Cichlids. Factors such as water parameters, temperature, habitat, substrate, diet, and feeding frequency play a great role in whether the fish that you are pairing the Flowerhorn with is compatible or not.
Tank And Tank Size
By paying attention to tank size, maintaining stable water conditions, feeding your fish appropriately, creating hiding spots, or cutting the line of sight, you may usually reduce hostility in fish pairings. The fish may turn hostile if these guidelines are not followed.
Stress is caused by crowded conditions. Flowerhorns require a tank that is at least 70 gallons in size and reach adult lengths of 12 to 16 inches (30–40 cm). But to add large fishes to a tank of a Flowerhorn, you require a tank of 160-300 gallons to provide space for the different species.
This clever animal needs space to roam since it is very territorial. The tank size should double once you add a second Flowerhorn to the tank. So, Plan on a minimum of 200 gallons if you combine them with another large species.
Water Conditions
It’s not hard to achieve and sustain the ideal water conditions for a Flowerhorn’s wellbeing. The pH of the water should be between 6.5 and 7, and the temperature should be between 26 and 28 degrees Celsius. Aside from that, water needs to be changed frequently to prevent any pH increase and acidity increase of algae infestation. You must replace the water after feeding the fish or every other day, particularly when you are using the fresh tiny fish feed.
Diet / Food
Fish may look for sustenance in their surroundings, sometimes at the expense of their tank mates, if there is not enough food available or if the nutrients are imbalanced.
Feeding Flowerhorns three times per day is a must. Diet is primarily made up of plant-based pellets and comparable foods, with diets supplemented by high-quality protein sources.
Different dietary requirements or feeding schedules apply to some tank mates. Make sure all fish are getting the food they require because Flowerhorns have a tendency to grab the majority of food with greed.
- Omega one pellets
- Ocean Nutrition Instant Baby Brine Shrimp 0.7-Ounces (20 Grams) Jar
- Omega One Freeze-Dried Blood Worms, 0.96 oz
- 200 Live Daphnia by Aqua L’amour
- Hikari Bio-Pure Freeze Dried Daphnia for Pets, 0.42-Ounce
- Hikari Tubifex Worms Fish Food (0.7 oz.) [Set of 2]
Aquarium Décor
If the Flowerhorn fish find the tank effortless to dig in, they frequently do it. If you have added tiny plants and light pebbles, fishes would ruin the tank’s aesthetic by digging them up and, most commonly, eating the dug-up plants. It is, therefore, preferable to avoid keeping any water plants inside, not even fake ones.
In order to prevent the fish from significantly changing their orientation, the aquarium must also be filled with hefty solid pebbles and stones at the base. It would not hide behind larger stones because it is an active and aggressive fish. It is always observable in reality.
Temperament
The Flowerhorn is known to be aggressive and volatile towards their territory. Fishes that are peaceful and calm are most likely to get bullied by these fishes. Even though the fishes might be larger in size they might still get overwhelmed by the Flowerhorn. Even though it might rarely be the case, you should keep in mind the personality of other fishes that you keep in the tank with the Flowerhorn.
Large Tankmates
Here we will be going to discuss the various types of semi-large or large fish species that can be kept with a Flowerhorn or community tank. They will have similar diet charts and water conditions, making them compatible to be raised along with the Flowerhorn fishes.
Jaguar Cichlid
Jaguar Cichlids are well-liked additions to sizable cichlid aquarium displays because of their modest yet appealing marbled contrast. They are highly correlated to Flowerhorns and are from Central America, but they are too different to interbreed.
They occupy the same ecological niche as largemouth bass and other predators in North America in the wild: they wait till something edible wanders nearby before swallowing it into their large mouths. Jaguar Cichlids have a somewhat thinner appearance than Flowerhorns, but their temperaments are quite similar.
They are simple to care for and prefer neutral to alkaline water (pH 7.0-7.5) and relatively warm conditions, like the majority of Central Americans (74-78F). When given a healthy diet and a large tank (125+ gallons for adults), they develop swiftly. They grow up to a size of 14-16 inches.
Bichir Dragonfish
Not just Flowerhorns, but many other aggressive cichlids, are excellent tank companions for bichirs. They not only enjoy the same carnivorous foods, but they also have tough, armor-like scales that can withstand the rare occasional bite.
The tiniest bichirs are about 12 inches long, and the largest can reach a length of 24 inches when completely grown. They are non-aggressive, primarily nocturnal bottom dwellers despite being predators. To locate buried and hidden prey, they employ their highly evolved senses of smell and electrical perception.
A tank of 90-120 gallons is recommended for keeping a bichir as a pet, but if you want to pair it up with a Flowerhorn 150-gallon tank, it might do the trick.
Giant Gourami
As the name suggests, giant gouramis are giant fishes that are kept in huge tanks. In comparison to the typical tank fish, it is not only large but also a very voracious eater. It’s fascinating to watch how this breed’s appearance evolves with age.
During the adolescent stage, they begin with a flat skull that gradually swells into one with large lips and a thick chin as they age.
Women can be distinguished from men because they have thicker lips. A young Giant Gourami generally has a mix of silver, golden yellow, and blue silver. They gradually become dark gray as they age by getting progressively darker. Since they exclusively reject members of their species, it is advised to keep the tank to just one Giant Gourami.
Silver Arowana
Large predators known as Arowanas have a uniquely archaic appearance. They are all long with thick shiny scales and barber-like fins. They are referred to as “dragon fish” in many places, especially the vibrantly colored Asian Arowana.
Given that the colorful Arowana and Flowerhorn types are the products of rigorous East Asian breeding efforts, they make perfect sense.
Arowanas are not picky about the quality of their water, but they do get big, develop quickly, and eat a lot. In addition, adults can leap approximately 6 feet to catch insects, lizards, and even small birds from trees that are low to the
Wolf Cichlid
One of the most violent fish ones may keep in their tank are wolf cichlids. These fishes may coexist in a tank with a relatively small number of fish species. It is a fantastic option because of its appealing pattern and colors.
The Wolf Cichlid has a prominent brow, a wide mouth, and thick lips. It often features a body with unique dots on a background that is either pale silver or gold. The area around its head is tinted green and red, while its fins and tail are tinted green and blue. The female Wolf Cichlid is almost entirely yellow, making it simple to tell a male from a female.
Wolf Cichlid can grow up to a huge size of 28 inches in its adult stage. Making them larger than even a male Flowerhorn fish. They require a tank of a minimum of 125 gallons, so putting them with a Flowerhorn will require installing a tank of at least 225- 250 gallons. They have similar personality traits to the Flowerhorn, but I would recommend pairing your Flowerhorn with an adolescent Wolf Cichlid if done.
Red Terror Cichlids
The size of the red terror increases to extreme monstrosity. Within three to four years, a mature female will reach around 13 inches tall (which is as large as many adult male Flowerhorns). A male Red Terror can grow to an incredible 18 to 20 inches!
If they choose to bite the hand that feeds them while you’re changing the water near their eggs or fry, they are more than capable of extracting blood after they reach this size!
They are great Flowerhorn tank mates since both males and females have stunning red and black patterns that set them apart from other Flowerhorns. On top of that, they look intimidating, making it harder for the Flowerhorn to bully them.
Additionally, they are aggressive enough to tolerate abuse from many other tank members and retaliate well to it. If housed together, Red Terrors and Flowerhorns need at least 150+ gallons of space.
And if you appreciate your other fish, then your Red Terrors breed should unquestionably have the entire aquarium! They will cross with Flowerhorns if they develop a romantic interest in one another because they are both members of the Amphilophus group.
Common Pleco
One of the fish that can be kept in the same tank as a Flowerhorn. It is friendlier is the Common Pleco. They aren’t bothered by other species. Similarly, they won’t be attacked if they are in the same school as larger, more aggressive fish.
Even so, if other fishes of the same family are present, the Common Pleco will frequently dominate its area. Using rubble and other ornamentation as cover, they are rather modest during the day. This kind of fish becomes active when the sun goes down or when night falls.
Even when they are active, they typically move slowly and keep their distance from the bottom of the fish tank. Another excellent feature of this species is that they remove algae as they travel. One of the more common fish breeds that people add to their collection is the Common Pleco.
They are semi-aggressive fishes. These fish love to live in a family or school and can grow up to size from 16-25 inches. Considering their size, they require a tank of about 150 gallons to live peacefully.
Spiny Eel
Southeast Asia is home to a variety of highly specialized nocturnal predators known as spiny eels. They search cracks and holes in water sources for sleeping fish, worms, and invertebrates using their well-developed “nose” and straw-like lips. Once it is discovered, the Spiny Eel scoops the defenseless creature up and devours it completely.
Some species, such as the Half-Banded Spiny Eel, remain relatively small (8 inches) and don’t mix well with Flowerhorns. Others, like the fire eel, can reach lengths of three feet.
Overall, Spiny Eels are intriguing, even friendly fish that, with the right training, will feed directly from your hands. They could be peaceful and aggressive, both relying on how you train them and the community they live in.
The Iridescent Shark
The intimidating-looking catfish is really the tough-sounding iridescent shark. These fish can grow to enormous sizes of three to four feet (0.9-1.2 m) and survive for 20 years! They have a 300-gallon tank requirement.
Furthermore, because they prefer to be in groups, these schooling fish require a spacious aquarium. If not, they are tense and jittery.
Sharks with iridescence prefer water that is 79°F (26°C) or colder than the Flowerhorn. They require unique, nutritious food that is of the highest caliber. Make sure this food reaches the tank’s bottom so that the large fish have enough to eat.
Mahi Mahi Fish
Common dolphinfish are a part of the cichlid family, often known as the condemning cichlid. By nature, it is a territorial fish. And a very easy fish to breed. Like the flower horn cichlids, it also possesses unique colors and pigmentation due to its crossbred ancestry.
It is a very large fish that can grow to an adult size of 38 to 42 inches. Mahi Mahi fish is Semi-Aggressive in nature, making them good tank mates for Flowerhorns. The lack of aggressiveness can be overwhelmed by the massive size they have.
The minimum tank requirement for the Mahi Mahi fish is about 100 to 150 gallons, but pairing them with a Flowerhorn will compel you to use a tank that is up to 250 gallons large.
They are considered omnivores, and their diet will mostly consist of alive organisms and diet as well as pellets, flakes, etc. since these fishes will usually be swimming at the bottom of the tank to make sure that the food reaches the bottom. They have similar water parameters to the Flowerhorn.
FAQ
Can two flowerhorn fish coexist?
Yes. These fish are able to coexist. It may coexist with a partner, other Flowerhorn fish, and even certain other fish species.
What 2 fish together form a flowerhorn?
By 1994, Malaysia has received the hybrid blood parrot cichlid from Taiwan and red devil cichlids from Central America. The flowerhorn was subsequently created through the subsequent mating of these fish.
How much time can a Flowerhorn go without eating?
A fully grown flowerhorn fish, despite being a highly robust fish, may not survive unfed for longer than two weeks to one month.
Conclusion
Flowerhorns are very fun and attractive pets to keep. They tend to be very aggressive and territorial when it comes to living with other fishes. So if possible, I would like to be kept alone or with a pair of other Flowerhorn for breeding purposes.
If not, then fishes that are larger or similar to them in size, having similar personality traits, tank and water requirements, as well as similar diet, are a must. The aquarist does not have to put much more effort into looking after the various needs of each and every species in their tank.