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Flowerhorn Cichlid
Alternative Name(s): Hua Lao Han Cichlid
Scientific Name(s): None, multiple cross of hybrid fish.
Category: Cichlid
Difficulty: 
Maximum Size: 30cms
Minimum Tank Volume: 400 litres
Minimum Tank Size: 60" x 30" x 24"
Water Temperature Range: 25-29°C
Water pH Range: 6.0-7.5
Water Hardness Range: 6-20 dGH
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| General Information: |
In early forms a showy and indeed healthy fish, often pink with black and pale blue detail, side rosettes, males sport large nuchal humps and stocky build. Those with overly compacted body shapes, termed "masterpiece fish" often no healthier than parrot cichlids, deformed mouths eyes, risk of dropsy, and behavioural problems. Later developments have not improved the breed. Breeder standard is ruining fish health and life quality. |
| Tank Requirements: |
Large, with caves and cover, but robustly built. These fish move gravel and are powerful. Make all decor immovable or unlikely to break glass. Provide enrichment, textures, visual stimuli for this highly intellgent fish, plants probably a waste of time. |
| Diet Requirements: |
Primarily carnivorous taking carnivore and cichlid pellets, shrimp, shellfish, raw fish, sinking formulae, wormy foods, frozen live foods of all types, and keep it coming! Never underfeed. |
| Compatibility: |
Don't mix. Ever. Temperament from mean to psychotic, capable of killing any fish it's housed with, will even attack the keeper and even opposite sex pairs may have to be kept with a seperator handy. |
| Recommendations: |
Species tank only, often 1 fish per tank, heavy polluter, overfilter by at least 200%. Water changes essential. For health buy fish with body shape similar to that of normal Trimac Cichlid. |
| Common Problems: |
Lip injuries from attacking glass, increased cancer rates, compressed shape fish have every possible health problem, avoid like plague. Hexamita, nitrate sensitivity.Immunity useless in low temps. |
| Similar Species: |
Cichlasoma trimaculatum, Cichlasoma synspilum, Blood Parrot Cichlids - Flowerhorns may share genes with all the above fish. Avoid any Flowerhorn that has major Blood Parrot characteristics. |
| Sexing: |
Sexes similar when young. Mature males have huge nuchal hump, brighter, slightly bigger. |
| Breeding: |
Easy, breed has hybrid vigour, tend to breed at high end of temp range, and when well fed. If fish kept seperately, introduce them gradually with clear seperator. Mid-range pH. |
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