[AquaticLife] flowerhorns

May 20, 2008 @ 10:19 pm · Filed under Philippines Internet Koi Society

Hi Jenni,
I have to preface this by saying that I am totally against the hybridization of all cichlids. Below are the general comments I make about Hybrids and is not focused at you so much as the general idea of these fish.

There are thousands of cichlids in their natural forms that all have something to offer us in their looks, breeding strategy, and other behaviors. I see no need to force two different species to breed and make a mess. In the East and then later in the U.S. it was a brilliant Ponzi scheme. ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ponzi_scheme ) The originators of these hybrids, like ponzi scheme originators, made these fish and sold them for thousands of dollars each. They took off in the East and replaced Guppies and Discus in many breeding facilities in several countries. Then the bottom fell out on them and the former Guppy and Discus breeders had thousands of these fish to get rid of. And had to start over on Guppies, Discus or other fish. I witnessed similar things happen here when stores and people purchased these to make money fast. Now I see single tanks, 20 gallon with one single Giant unhappy fish in them. They sit in the stores for quite a period of time and end up losing money for the stores as floor space - tank space cost money in retail or wholesale. On aquabid I see 4 or 5 pages of flowerhorns and people bid on maybe 4?
When people get these with the intention of breeding them they end up with hundreds of fry/fish that they need to get rid of as no one will pay the exorbitant retail prices. At best they commonly sell for a few dollars each as young fish.
If you choose to get only one and not breed then you more often than not have one big fish and no other fish in the tank. They are very aggressive and often kill tank mates, even their own “kind”.
I love cichlids, belong to two Cichlid only clubs and keep about 20 tanks in my living room and all but two have cichlids in them. I find these fish fascinating and beautiful and enjoy them in their natural form. Their breeding behavior and strategy for raising fry is fascinating.
Here is a web page and article by Dr. Ron Coleman about Hybrids.
http://cichlidresearch.com/hybrids.html
Here are some resources for cichlids.
http://www.cichlidae.info
http://www.cichlid.org/
http://www.duboisi.com/forum/
http://www.duboisi.com/forum/cichlid_clubs.php
Cichlids are great, give em a try if you have not before.
-Mike

Hi guys, Does anyone have any flowerhorns on the list ? I’m looking at buying one would like some advice from others
cheers Jenni