Original-Flowerhorn.com - The Global 1st Flowerhorn Exporter from Malaysia.

Q1: What type of water and temperature is best for Flower Horns?
A : Flower Horns do well in all types of clean water. This fish is very hardy, and can endure water conditions that are not suitable for most breeds of aquarium fish. This is also part of the reason why the Flower Horn is well received by many tropical fish hobbyists. But the ideal pH level in the water should be around pH 7 to 7.8, with water temperature ranging between 27 °C to 32°C. For temperate/colder climate regions, just use a conventional water heater.

Q2 : Can we breed other fishes together with Flower Horns in the same aquarium?
A : As the Flower Horn is from the South American Cichlid family, the fish are very territorial. Thus, they are very aggressive in nature. Keeping them with other fish is not advisable, especially smaller fish.

Q3: What sort of foods is best suited to Flower Horns?
A: You are encouraged to feed them with life prawns and life fish. They may grow faster and improve colour. However, Flower Horns are not overly picky with food but their consumption is high. Worms, small shrimps and pellet fish food will do fine as long as these foods do not pollute the water. You can underfeed but not overfeed Flower Horns, thus it is advisable to space out feeding times to two to three times daily. To supplement the live feed, you can also give colour-enhancing pellets as this will brighten up their body colours. Blood worm is another favourite food of the Flower Horn. It is most use when feeding the fish fry as it is considered the best available food around. The fry grows faster when using this feed.

Q4: How big can Flower Horns grow to and how long do they live?
A: Flower Horns may grow up to approximately12 inches in length depending on the breed although there are Flower Horns known to grown to nearly 16 inches. Properly taken care of, Flower Horns can generally live for eight to ten years.

Q5: How do I train my Flower Horn?
A: The value of the Flower Horn is from the "nuchal hump" on its head, the pearl dots on its body, the redness of its fins and body and the roundness of the body on the whole.

In order to get the hump on the head to a reasonable size, one can place a mirror near the aquarium in order to get the fish excited. Looking at the mirror is like it is facing another fish and since this species is territorial in nature it will try to chase the mirror image away. Through this method the "nuchal hump" on the head can get bigger and the colour of the fish itself will brighten up.

It is also advisable to put in small stones preferably coloured stones in the aquarium. Playing with the stones is another kind of stimulation, which can enhance the "hump" on its head.

Q6: Why is the forehead of my fish small?
A: There are a few reasons to this. Please check on the pH level of the water. Check the sex of the fish. Another reason can be the strain of this particular breed does not have a big protruding forehead.

Q7: Why is the color of my flower horn dull?
A: Check the pH level of the water. It can also be the breed of this strain does not produce striking colors.

Q8: How can I tell if the fish is sick?
A: First of all, the fish will have no appetite. Secondly, the color of the fish is pale or has a very dark color on its body. Being inactive is also another sign that the fish is not feeling well.

Q9: Is there any preventive measures to ensure that the fish stays healthy?
A: Please check on the food that it consumes. This refers to live fish food, as sometimes the food might be contaminated. The environment of the fish is as important. Please ensure that the water temperature and water quality is at the optimum. Or else, please go ahead and change the aquarium water.

Q10: Do we need to keep the aquarium lighted the whole time?
A: It is better to turn off the lights at night as this will create a better environment for the fish to rest.

Q11: Will the fish die if it is not fed for two to three days?
A: Do not worry, as the fish will lasts for week without feeding. Do not stock the aquarium with one week's supply of food. Just ensure that the water quality is good.

Q12: Why does the fish jump?
A: It could be some insects flying on the surface of the aquarium. Another reason is that water quality in the aquarium is not suitable.

Q13: Can I rear this fish in a temperate / colder climate?
A: Most definitely. You are only required to add a water heater.

Q14: Why is my newly bought fish not lively and very timid?
A: It is actually a normal reaction. Once the fish gets adjusted to its new environment, it will be back to its aggressive self. During this period of time, feed the fish sparingly as there will be a loss of appetite as well.

Q15: How long does it take for my fish to get used to its new environment?
A: It will normally take between one to two weeks.

Q16: How frequent do I feed the fish?
A: Feeding basically depends on the lifestyle of its respective owners. Ideally, the fish should be fed at least twice a day and make sure that the fish is full after each feeding. Again, this depends on the owner of the fish. Some claimed that their fish are fed three to four times a day.

Q17: How can I tell the sex of this fish?
A: The most accurate way is look at the anal pore of the fish. The male fish has a V-shaped anal pore. As for the female, it will have a U - shaped anal pore. Generally, it will be easier to identify the sex of the fish when it is around 4 inches in length.