Flowerhorn also known as "Luo-Han" in Chinese and many Asian countries. Fortune fish, good luck fish for many owners because they believe it brings fortune and luck to their lives, family and most importantly to their business.The big hump in their head (commonly known to most owners and breeders as "KOK") , Pearls and Plums (Black markings) are the physical characteristics of a flowerhorn fish.
But are you wondering where this lucky-beautiful creature came from?
Let me give you a short history of this big-head, pearly fish.
In was in the late 1990's when these species emerged in the market of MALAYSIA. Flowerhorns are thought to arise from the man-made hybridization of a number of cichlid species, from SouthCentral America. Although the exact parent species are not known, it is most likely that they include Cichlasoma trimaculatum and Amphilophus citrinellus (or another fish of the red devil cichlid) complex.
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 so popular with many tropical fish hobbyists. The ideal pH level in the water should be around pH 7 to pH 7.8, a kH above 160 ppm., and with a water temperature ranging between 78 °F to 85°F (25 °C to 29°C). As to aquarium size, a 75 gallon or larger is best.
Flowerhorns have kept most of their Red Devil personality traits and are generally best alone, where they still make excellent pets.
Flowerhorns may grow up to about 12 inches in length depending on its breed and may live to 8 to 10 years. Flower Horns have been observed that were 16 inches long when breed by expert fish breeders.
After so many years of cross-breedings, new strains emerged. The most common strains are the JinHua(Kamfas) and the ZhenZhou(ZZ). Other common names are the Red Dragons, Red texas, Red kamfa, also there are the cross strains for example Thai-ZZ, Malau-ZZ,Thai-Kamfa,Kamfa-ZZ and so many more names. (Sometimes breeders just give names based on their own breedings)
I started flowerhorn growing way back May of 2006 when a friend of mind gave me a fry(flowerhorn .5 inches to 1.5 inches long) to take care of. I named it "Kentoy" but after a year it died, he was 8 inches long.
Despite of losing an 8 inches pet. I never quit the hobby because i know i can still grow more flowerhorns. With the help of my fellow hobbyist i learned so much in growing and even into breeding .
Now at home i have so many pets all are flowerhorns. The front space of our house is occupied by aquariums. I have 4 (36x18x18 inches) , 5 (24x12x12 inches) , 1 (32x12x12 inches) , 2 (12x12x12 inches), 1 (8x8x8 inches) aquariums.
For the loved of the hobby i even made a website for the group. First it was just a free space on the internet, but after we gathered funds from fellow hobbyist we are able to buy our own website and domain. Our official website on the internet http://www.fhdavao.com and the forum http://www.fhdavao.com/forums.
