Flowerhorn
Hybrid cichlid, no scientific name · Cichlidae
Also known as Flowerhorn cichlid, Flower horn
Intermediate
Aggressive, man-made cichlid hybrid with a head hump; best kept alone, and its published numbers are approximate.
In short: A flowerhorn needs at least 265 L (70 US gal), water at 26–29 °C (79–84 °F) and pH 7–7.8. It is aggressive, usually kept singly, and rated intermediate to keep.
Updated
- Minimum tank
- 265 L (70 US gal)
- Temperature
- 26–29 °C (79–84 °F)
- pH
- 7–7.8
- Adult size
- 40 cm (15.7 in)
- Group size
- 1+
Care requirements
- Minimum tank volume
- 265 L (70 US gal)
- Temperature
- 26–29 °C (79–84 °F)
- pH
- 7–7.8
- Hardness
- 9–20 dGH
- Lifespan
- 8–12 years
- Diet
- Omnivore: cichlid pellets and frozen foods, with vegetable matter.
- Care level
- Intermediate
Origin & habitat
- Native region
- Man-made hybrid; no wild range
- Water type
- Freshwater
- Biotope
- Aquarium-bred only
- Natural conditions
- Bred from Central American cichlids, which live in warm, neutral to slightly hard water.
Behaviour & stocking
- Temperament
- Aggressive
- Minimum group
- 1 fish
- Swims
- Mid-water
- Good tank mates
- Best kept aloneLarge armoured catfish or similar-sized robust cichlids in a very large tank
- Avoid
- Fish under about 25 cm once it is grownPeaceful community fishShrimp and snails
Breeding & difficulty
- Breeding difficulty
- Intermediate
- Sexing
- Hard to tell from appearance; venting is the reliable method.
- Notes
- Hybrid, so the colour and head shape of any young are unpredictable.
- Common ailments
- Hexamita/hole-in-the-headIchInjuries from fighting
Will it fit your tank?
Sign in and AquaLog compares Flowerhorn against every tank you track — volume, water type, temperature and pH — then adds it to your livestock in one tap.
Sign in to check my tanks
