All About Golden Monkey Flowerhorn & Best Tank Mates for This Fish

Flowerhorns are often likened to puppies because of how personable they are. They also have very unique appearances which coupled with their size make them one of the best centerpiece fish in the freshwater aquarium.

Even though they may appear to be friendly from the outside, they are actually quite territorial which is why they are kept alone most of the time.

However, that doesn’t have to be the case always and if you are wondering if other fishes can be kept with your flowerhorn then worry no more.

The Golden Monkey Flowerhorn is a hybrid cichlid that is known for its bright colors and impressive size. This fish can reach up to 15 inches in length, making it one of the larger cichlids available.

The body of the Golden Monkey Flowerhorn is orange-red, with yellow and black markings on the fins and tail. This fish is a popular choice for both home aquariums and public aquariums, where its coloration can be truly appreciated.

Golden Monkey Flowerhorn Price Tag

The golden monkey flowerhorn is a type of cichlid that is known for its bright colors and large size. These fish are popular in the aquarium hobby and can sell for high prices.

The price for a large golden monkey flowerhorn is typically between 1000$ to $1500 and even more.

The price tag on the golden monkey flowerhorn increases as the fish gets larger. The largest golden monkey flowerhorns can reach up to 15 inches in length and weigh close to 6 pounds.

They require a large tank with plenty of hiding places and should not be kept with other fish of their size.

Here Are 10 Excellent Golden Monkey Flowerhorn Tank Mates

Silver Dollar Fish

• Care Level: Easy
• Diet: Herbivore
• Tank Size: 25-Gallons
• Water Conditions: Temperature 73-78° F, KH 4-7, pH 5.5-7.0

The placid Silver Dollar is perhaps the last fish people would think of when looking for tank mates for the flowerhorn but it is actually a very viable option. While they are not aggressive like the flowerhorn, they are very quick and adept at staying out of trouble.

After all, they share their natural habitat with the piranha. Just ensure that there are at least six of them in the tank. The flowerhorn will occasionally pester them but the Silver Dollar won’t be affected by it too much.

Tinfoil Barb

• Care Level: Easy
• Diet: Omnivore
• Tank Size: 65-Gallons
• Water Conditions: Temperature 73-78° F, KH 4-9, pH 6.0-7.5

The tinfoil barb is another fish that might not appear as an obvious tank mate for a flowerhorn but they too can stand up quite well to these boisterous fish. They grow large enough and they are fast enough to be able to handle the flowerhorn’s aggression.

Tinfoil barbs are excellent schooling fish and as long as they are kept in groups of at least four to six individuals, they will do just fine. As an added bonus, their brilliant metallic sheen makes them a great aesthetic counterpoint to the flowerhorn.

Common Pleco

• Care Level: Easy
• Diet: Omnivore
• Tank Size: 120-Gallons
• Water Conditions: Temperature 74-80° F, KH 6-9, pH 6.5-7.3

While common plecos are mistakenly bought by beginner hobbyists with small tanks only to realize that these fish can grow very big very quickly, this makes them almost perfect as a tank mate for the flowerhorn. They are tough as nails and mostly occupy the bottom part of the tank.

This mostly keeps them out of the way of the flowerhorn. Just ensure that you get a decent sized one, to begin with. Also, feed them sinking wafers or pellets because of where they spend most of their time in.

Giant Gourami

• Care Level: Easy
• Diet: Omnivore
• Tank Size: 100-Gallons
• Water Conditions: Temperature 72-82° F, KH 4-12, pH 6.5-8.0

Even though most gouramis are placid and docile, the giant gourami knows how to stand its ground. Its size is a huge advantage and they can easily handle any aggression the flowerhorn might exhibit towards them. They can grow quite big and they eat a lot too.

So, make sure that the tank is large enough to accommodate two behemoths. While it can stand up to the flowerhorn, it can be aggressive towards its own kind and hence only one of these should be kept in the tank along with the flowerhorn.

Clown Loaches

• Care Level: Moderate
• Diet: Omnivore
• Tank Size: 100-Gallons
• Water Conditions: Temperature 73-84° F, KH 8-11, pH 6.0-7.5

If you want to spice up your flowerhorn aquarium and make it as lively as possible then add a school of clown loaches. They have a personality that is just as personable as the flowerhorn’s and they come with loads of playfulness of their own.

Clown loaches are also quick enough to avoid the occasional aggression from the flowerhorn. Make sure that they are kept in groups of at least five as otherwise, they can become quite passive and skittish which just won’t work with a flowerhorn around.

Tiger Oscar Fish

• Care Level: Moderate
• Diet: Carnivore
• Tank Size: 90-Gallons
• Water Conditions: Temperature 72-78° F, KH 4-12, pH 6.0-8.0

Oscars are another group of fish that know how to stand up to much larger fish. They, themselves, grow to a decent size and have enough aggression to avoid being bullied by the flowerhorn.

They are readily available and come in a variety of colors that can make it a perfect counterfoil for the flowerhorn. As an added bonus, they are easy to feed and take care of. The only downside to these fish is that they can become extremely aggressive when breeding but as long as the tank is large enough, it shouldn’t be much of a problem.

Midas Cichlid

• Care Level: Moderate
• Diet: Omnivore
• Tank Size: 75-Gallons
• Water Conditions: Temperature 72-78° F, KH 4-8, pH 6.7-7.2

While the exact lineage of the flowerhorn is unknown, most hobbyists believe that this fish was a part of that lineage at some point. They have the appearance of a much more subdued flowerhorn with a less pronounced hump on their heads and simpler coloration.

They, however, have enough aggression of their own to be able to handle the flowerhorn’s and as long as there is enough space, they can make great tank mates for the flowerhorn.

Silver Arowana

• Care Level: Moderate
• Diet: Carnivore
• Tank Size: 250-Gallons
• Water Conditions: Temperature 73-82° F, KH 2-8, pH 6.5-7.5

This is another excellent centerpiece fish that is usually kept all on its own but can be kept with the flowerhorn as well. They are large and excellent swimmers and they mostly occupy the top half of the aquarium which keeps them out of the way of the flowerhorn most of the time.

There are a few caveats with this fish though. It is illegal to own in many countries such as the United States. So, make sure to check your local laws first. They are also somewhat skittish and can jump to heights of over 6 feet. So, make sure that the aquarium has a good lid.

Ornate Bichir

• Care Level: Moderate
• Diet: Carnivore
• Tank Size: 150-Gallons
• Water Conditions: Temperature 72-78° F, KH 2-12, pH 6.5-7.5

While the common pleco can be a great tank mate for the flowerhorn, it isn’t exactly aesthetically pleasing. The bichir addresses that by being one of the most interesting fishes that can be kept with a flowerhorn that sticks to the bottom half of the aquarium.

Their eel-like body and rounded head make them look like something out of a fantasy novel. They come in a variety of excellent patterns and coloration. While bichirs don’t grow very large, they know how to live with much larger fish including the flowerhorn.

Blue Acara Cichlid

• Care Level: Moderate
• Diet: Omnivore
• Tank Size: 125-Gallons
• Water Conditions: Temperature 72-86° F, KH 2-10, pH 6.5-8.0

This is perhaps the most beautiful tank mate you can get for your flowerhorn. They are semi-aggressive in nature and can grow to a large enough size to be able to withstand any attempts of aggression from the flowerhorn.

They come in many different hues and when kept in groups in a large enough aquarium along with the flowerhorn, they can create some of the most stunning aquariums.

In Summary

In conclusion, the Golden Monkey Flowerhorn is an interesting and unique fish that can make a great addition to any aquarium. Please make sure to do your research before purchasing one, as they can be expensive and require specific care.

With the right environment, however, the Golden Monkey Flowerhorn can thrive and provide hours of enjoyment for you and your family.

Finding a tank mate for a Golden Monkey flowerhorn is not as straightforward as you might think.

Just make sure that the tank is large enough to accommodate all the fish. Also, monitor them closely during the initial stage as these fishes have unique personalities and they might not always behave as expected.