Flowerhorn tank temperature

[Ruturaj]

Today I saw few posts on recommended temperature on facebook flowerhorn groups to be 86F, that to me is crazy high. It's norm and people rarely talk about it, let alone debate. To be fair I used to believe in 84. On quick google search most recommendation found are for higher temperature range like 82-88F. Foo the flowerhorn youtuber had 80.6F. I did some digging and read some old threads and posts here, just summarizing everything here and open to opinions (let me know if I got anything wrong)

1. Flowerhorns were made using red devil (temp range 70-79), trimac (74-86) and blood parrot which is hybrid of midas (70-79) and redhead cichlid (75-86).
2. High metabolism means shorter life span, more food consumption and waste production
3. High risk of pathogenic bacteria, like bacteria that causes "duck lips", is especially virulent at 82'F and above.

People claim to see better color which I am not sure of.

Lifespan: I found a paper (just abstract here) https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/0531556570900446 states that they saw faster growth at lower temperature, but I saw few posts mentioning faster growth at higher temperatures by breeders. May be researches fed fish equally.

Some claimed effects on kok size which I think is not relevant but if high temperature cause faster growth that means earlier kok in terms of age (not size).

References
1. Old post from RD. duanes

 

[JSpilo]

I keep my dude at 80°F

 

[Flowerhorn Supply]

I personally keep my flowerhorn tanks at 85 (5" and under) and 82 (5" and up). From fry - aprox. 5" I feed pretty heavy while grooming and believe the higher temp. speeds up their metabolism, and increases activity/appetite. After 5" I will decrease feeding amount/frequency and gradually lower the temp. 85.

 

[Ruturaj]

I keep my dude at 80°F

To me that sounds like perfect temperature. He looks really healthy.

I personally keep my flowerhorn tanks at 85 (5" and under) and 82 (5" and up). From fry - aprox. 5" I feed pretty heavy while grooming and believe the higher temp. speeds up their metabolism, and increases activity/appetite. After 5" I will decrease feeding amount/frequency and gradually lower the temp. 85.

How much growth rate differs at different temperature? Have you tried lower temperatures? If yes, How long did they take to grow at lower temperatures? Why not go below 82 for adults?

 

[Man-made Monsters]

All of my Flowerhorns have always appeared to do better at warmer temps. At 78-80 they seem to sulk and not be as interactive. I have my tank at 83.2 and they are super responsive and ready to interact with everyone, especially me. I feel like 82.0-84.0 is the perfect range for happy flowerhorn day to day, and breeding.

 

[Ruturaj]

All of my Flowerhorns have always appeared to do better at warmer temps. At 78-80 they seem to sulk and not be as interactive. I have my tank at 83.2 and they are super responsive and ready to interact with everyone, especially me. I feel like 82.0-84.0 is the perfect range for happy flowerhorn day to day, and breeding.

What about 80-82. Mine is at 79 and is equally active.

 

[Ruturaj]

Facebook flowerhorn groups have gone crazy and recommending 86+ and some 90 now.