The Flowerhorn Cichlid is a man-made species that was selectively bred by Chinese fishkeeping enthusiasts at the turn of this century. This means that no such fish exists in the wild and its closest relatives are South American Cichlids.
This fish is the result of selectively breeding different South American species. Like their ancestors, they have an elongated body and a unique head shape.
These giants also have a pretty impressive lifespan and can live up to 12 years!
These hybrids have retained the aggressive behavior seen in many Cichlids, like the Jack Dempsey or their other relatives. They are not very welcoming to foreign species and often get into fights with each other.
Although they are not schooling fish, they still prefer to swim together in pairs – this helps lower their aggression and makes them feel less stressed.
Flowerhorns are an aggressive bunch but with careful planning, this can be overcome and you will be able to enjoy these colorful giants alongside other species.
Due to their bulky body, these fish are a bit slow when you compare them to smaller fish.
Just like in their natural habitat, these species prefer to move up and down the water column rather than just stay in a particular layer in the tank.
Flowerhorn Cichlids have an elongated body that is slightly compressed from the sides, although there are some varieties with a more rounded body resembling even a disc. Their dorsal and anal fins stretch all the way to the base of their tail.
One of their defining features is their bulged head with deeply planted eyes. It is one of the most iconic sights in the fishkeeping world – you will be able to recognise a Flowerhorn by their silhouette only.
Both their anal and dorsal fins have a long, braid-like ending. Their tail is almost round and is thinner than their other fins. Their pectoral fins are very elegant, sometimes almost see-through but are much shorter than all other ones.
This peculiar shape is combined with a very rich selection of colours, they have an enormous variety ranging from golden to fiery red to light purple.
These many colours are accompanied by different patterns.
Whether you are looking for a plain mono-colored fish or an exotic mix, Flowerhorn strains have got you covered in every case.
- Species – Man-Made
- Common Name – Flowerhorn
- Origin – From selective breeding of certain South American Cichlids
- Diet – Carnivore
- PH Range – 6.5 – 7.8
- Temperature – Tropical 26–30°c
- Breed Type – Egg layer
- Max Size – approximately 40cm
- Sex – Un-sexed
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