An unusual combination of beautiful appearance, peculiar form and ferocity can be found in the flower horn. She still has an interesting behavior and character, so she always wants to watch. It is known that those people who brought it to themselves never regretted it. But you need to know a little about how to properly keep such a fish and how to properly breed it.
Origin
Cichlids and flower horn, photos of which are in this article, are illegible in choosing partners. Therefore, they create pairs with different species of fish, and this feature of them led to the fact that a large number of hybrids began to form. Only not all of them look great, but there are species that then can no longer have offspring.
Such hybrids, which were obtained by artificial crosses, include the three-hybrid parrot and the flower horn. The three-headed parrot is considered the most famous aquarium fish. But the cichlid flower horn was the result of the genetics and perseverance of Malaysian aquarists. To obtain this type of hybrids, careful selection and competent crossing of various species was carried out. The main goal of such experiments was to obtain healthy offspring, which will be able to multiply in the future. And the result really turned out to be successful, since the flower flower horn is a hybrid that is beautiful, reproduces easily and is not at all prone to any diseases.
Features
Before buying this type of fish, each buyer must necessarily study not only its appearance, conditions, maintenance rules, but also those features that cichlids may have. For example, flower horn often change their color. This happens until they reach puberty. Therefore, if the buyer needs a fish of a certain color, then an adult should already be acquired.
But if you acquire a still very young individual, then it is the fry of the flower horn that will show the real art of reincarnation, when throughout their lives they will change their color. It is believed that this fish is exhibition, so it is better to keep it alone. She rarely gets along with other fish, as she is very aggressive.
Availability for purchase
In the natural environment, flower horn does not occur at all, since it was artificially bred. The first individual of this species appeared at the end of the twentieth century in Malaysia. To obtain it, they tried to cross several types of cichlids that were brought from South America. The appearance of the individual was very liked by scientists. Especially their attention was drawn to the fat cone on the forehead, for which they first called the fish a warship.
But the combination of what species the flower horn came from is still unknown, as scientists keep this information secret. This hybrid specimen first appeared on the market in 1998. Since then, a lot of time has passed, this individual has become popular and widespread. Currently, there are already several varieties that differ either in the size of the fat cone, or in a shortened or curved body.
This fish is considered elite among aquarists. To date, several of its varieties are in special demand. For example, the look of Thai silk, which is simply beautiful in appearance. In Asia, this elite fish is regarded as an individual that brings good luck. In Feng Shui, an aquarium with such a beautiful fish should stand in the house correctly in order to achieve harmony with the outside world. If the aquarium is correctly positioned, the flower flower horn will bring success and wealth to the owner of the home.
Cost
On the scales, such an elite individual has a drawing. Most often, it resembles either a heart or some interesting hieroglyph. Such a fish can cost tens of thousands of dollars, but there are species that can be purchased for several thousand dollars. Often the price of flower horn directly depends on how big a fat cone is on her head. So, the larger it is, the higher the price.
It is believed that this lump on the head of an elite fish is a symbol of the god of longevity in China. The larger the lump, the more good luck it will bring to its owner.
Appearance
The body of the hybrid flower horn is dense and oval. There is a large fat cone on the forehead. Adults can reach forty centimeters in length. The color of the scales is usually metallic, gray, but there are individuals in which the color may be red or pink. Some elite fish in the middle of the body also have a dark wide strip, which can be interrupted and even appear as separate spots. But this is not for all species.
Flower horn fins, the content of which requires some knowledge, have dorsal, anal, and caudal fins. Dorsal and anal are usually elongated and pointed, but the caudal fin is round. Such hybrid elite individuals live no more than ten years. But even to this age, few of them survive. Recently, with the advent of a large number of different subspecies, the appearance may be different.
All varieties of such fish are unique, and they are recognized by seven signs. This is the shape and color of the fish, the size of its scales and fat cones, according to whether there is a horizontal line and how the fins are straightened, as well as over the eyes.
Conditions
Flower horn, the content of which is quite simple, can easily tolerate any water parameters, especially in comparison with other types of fish. They are unpretentious in nutrition, as they love any protein feed, regardless of whether they are artificial or living. But still, inexperienced aquarists should not start with the breeding of this particular individual, as its content has its own characteristics.
The first feature is the need to have a large aquarium, as it is a fairly large fish. Another important nuance of the content is determining who the flower hori can live with. Since this is an aggressive fish, it is better that it does not have neighbors in the aquarium. Even plants, this individual will quickly destroy, so you should not put them in the aquarium.
It is known that it is so aggressive that it can bite the owner’s hand when he feeds it or serves the aquarium. Flower horn bites are quite painful. If aquarists are ready for difficulties, then they can also purchase it for their aquarium.
Food
Flower horn, which has its own characteristics, feed on both live and artificial feed. The main thing is that such food contains a large amount of protein. She has a big appetite. Therefore, it is worth alternating feed, make sure that the food is varied.
The main condition of the feed used is that it is nutritious and of high quality. The higher its quality, the better this fish will develop. So, you can give flower horn shrimp meat, various worms and crickets, bloodworms and flies, grasshoppers and fish fillets, gammarus and small fish.
Usually this hybrid individual is fed no more than three times a day, but it can also be twice. Everything will depend on what feed to feed, and how much waste then remains. In the last century, such fish was fed meat of mammals, but now it has already been proved that it is very harmful, since such food contains too much fat and protein. It is known that aquarium fish digests such food poorly. As a result of the use of such food, problems begin: the fish grows fat, and the functioning of the internal organs is disrupted. Therefore, it is worth giving them no more than once a week.
Aquarium Requirements
Aquarium for keeping flower horn requires a large and voluminous, for example, at least 200 liters. But provided that he will live alone. If you breed a couple, then you need an aquarium with a volume of at least 400 liters. And if there will be other hybrid species, then at least 800 liters.
You should not create any special decor in such an aquarium, since this fish does not like plants at all, but it loves to dig, so any plants will quickly disappear. It’s better to fill the bottom of the aquarium with gravel, as well as large stones and snags. This elite fish does not like to hide at all, and it leads an active lifestyle. But even when installing stones or driftwood, it is always worth checking the reliability of the installation, since the hybrid can easily turn everything around.
Care Rules
It is known that the flower horn, the care of which has its own rules, prefers clean water and a slight moderate flow. Therefore, for such an aquarium always requires a powerful filter and water change every week. At the same time, it is worthwhile to clean the bottom, because after eating a lot of garbage remains.
To maintain this elite hybrid fish species, set a high temperature of at least 26 degrees. And you should always monitor the behavior of the fish in order to understand what may bother it.
Compatible with others
Flower horn is almost impossible to keep with other fish, as they are always aggressive, and their large body can easily cope with any other individuals in the aquarium. They always defend their territory. It is best to keep a pair of identical fish then, so that other individuals do not suffer. But for such a neighborhood, you always need a large aquarium, which slightly reduces the aggression of the flower horn.
If, nevertheless, neighbors are inevitable, then such a fish should also be placed in the aquarium, which also has large forms. You can hook up in a huge aquarium to the flower horn of the black pacus, pterigoplichitis, plecostomus, giant gourami and others. If a pair of hybrids is contained in the aquarium, then you should definitely follow them, as they can kill each other.
How to distinguish a female from a male
There is no correct way to distinguish between a female and a male in the hybrid species of flowers flower horns. Today it is believed that the black dot on the back behind the fin indicates a female. The male does not have this point. But many aquarists refute this assumption.
It is easier to identify the female during the spawning period. When an adult is ready for spawning, the female ovipositor becomes visible to the female, and the male to the papilla. Breeders adhere to one technique that allows them to distinguish between the sex of an individual. But it can only be used on a person - a teenager. To determine the sex, you should put such a fish in the palm of your left hand, and then with your right hand you should easily and gently draw along the abdomen from the head to the tail fin. If splashes of a transparent liquid appear from the anus, then this is a male. If nothing happens, then this is a female.
Breeding
Flower horn, the breeding of which has its own characteristics, differ from other hybrids in that they can have healthy offspring. It is difficult to get fry the same color as the parents. To do this, you must have a clean line, otherwise the color will be different. It can be very difficult for a female to defend herself against the constant attacks of males, so it is rather difficult to breed these fish. The owner of such a pair, which is specially acquired for divorce, must equip his aquarium so that the female has secluded places where she could hide from the male, and he would not see her.
You can use another way to slightly protect the female from the pursuit of the male. For example, divide the aquarium into two parts using a net. You can act a little differently. So, put a flat stone near the net, but only it should be large. At the same time, all other items from the side where the female will be located must be removed. This will ensure that it will throw. Then it is necessary either to transfer the stone to the male, or to rearrange the grid so that this stone is on its territory. After this, it is recommended to direct a stream of water there, thus helping the male to fertilize the female.
In any method, it is necessary for the owner to create such conditions under which reproduction begins. For this, certain conditions must be created that must be created. So, water should be around 28 ° C. Feed must be of high quality. Elite fish should be fed well during this period. Be sure to monitor the freshness of the water.
Both the female and the male will carefully and zealously guard the eggs, and as soon as the male decides that the female is superfluous, he will immediately begin to beat her. And then again you need a grid.
Such fish always have large caviar and fry, so it’s easy to care for them. It is better to feed the fry with those feeds as adults, but it is worth grinding them thoroughly.