Few fishes have been able to create so much attention around themselves as Flowerhorn cichlids. Some people love these colourful and beautiful fishes while other thinks it's a dangerous hybrid that never should have seen the light of day. Flowerhorn cichlids became very popular in Asia due to the fact that they are assumed to bring luck to their owners and can be a powerful part of the owners Feng Shui. It is believed that the hump that is found in adult flower horn fishes resembles the Chinese God of Longevity. This has led to almost fantastic prices for Flowerhorn fishes that have had especially good and luck bringing features. There have been Flowerhorn cichlids that have been sold for several hundred thousands dollars. Most fishes are however much cheaper. The hype around Flowerhorn cichlids has lessen since it had its height but good specimens still warrants high prices although lower then they once were.
Flower Horn cichlids first saw the light of day in Malaysia during the second part of the 1990:s. They have been created through crossbreeding different South American cichlids. Exact which species that are used to breed Flowerhorn cichlids are unknown but most people believe that it is combination of a trimac and one or several other species.
They can be cared for in the same way as Trimac (Amhilophous Trimaculatus) and other large South American cichlids. This means that Flowerhorn fishes require large aquarium tanks. They prefer a neutral to slightly acidic pH level and a water temperature of 27 – 32 ?? º C / 80 - 89º F. Flowerhorn cichlids are often very aggressive and they are therefore best kept alone or if kept in a large aquarium tank together with other large aggressive cichlids
