Flowerhorn Cichlid (Vieja x Heros)

Flowerhorns are a man-made hybrid and do not occur in the wild. This variety is produced by crossing Vieja and Heros species, both Central American cichlids, and like all flowerhorns they are prized for their vivid colouration and the prominent nuchal hump that develops on the forehead as the fish matures.

Colouration and patterning continue to develop through the juvenile stage, only becoming fixed once the fish reaches adulthood, so each fish's final look is something of a surprise as it grows.

They are intelligent, highly interactive fish known for recognising and responding to their owners, but they are also aggressive and territorial, particularly as adults, and are best kept alone or as a breeding pair rather than in a community tank.

We recommend a robust filtration system, as flowerhorns are heavy waste producers, and smooth decor such as rocks or terracotta pots rather than sharp ornaments that could damage their fins.

Care

• Tank size: 300 litres minimum

• Temperature: 25-30℃

• pH: 6.5-7.8

• Filtration: strong filtration required due to high bio-load

• Diet: omnivorous with a high protein requirement — cichlid pellets, bloodworm, krill, prawn, earthworm, with some vegetable matter such as peas