Odd little petco FH

[Backfromthedead]

I've had this FH about 3 months now, dont quite know what to make of him.

I had 2 of these initially at around 2" in my 72x32 tank. That arrangement lasted 3 days as they were viciously fighting even at that small size. i threw this one in a 135 with 19 lampeye tetras, where he immediately took out 8 of them before i knew what was going on, eviscerated and consumed their bellies.

After that he resided in the 150g sump-refugium until the other hyperactive FH wriggled out somehow. Now this guy has the 200 all to himself.

I think he's got a lot of potential. Has to be one of the meanest little fish I've had. I taped my feeding door onto the tank so this one can't get out like the other. He's getting fatter faster than longer. Anyone think he's a shortbody variant maybe?

 

[Bassmaster360]

Flowerhorn are definitely one of the most aggressive fish out there for sure. They might just be the most aggressive since they were bred for, among other things, to be aggressive at and interactive with their owners (bettas were bred for aggression too, hence their nickname Siamese Fighting Fish, but more towards other male bettas rather than aggressive towards anything & everything like Flowerhorn). There are stories on the internet of flowerhorn beating up arowanas twice their size. That being said, don't expect your flowerhorn to ever get along with any tankmates. In fact, the more testosterone in a flowerhorn (which forms the nice body shape and big kok), the meaner they'll be. Expect to keep your flowerhorn alone (plus you don't want to risk a nice flowerhorn getting hurt).

Your little guy DEFINITELY has potential. I'm actually quite ecstatic about yours since you got super lucky with a petco flowerhorn. Most big box store flowerhorns turn out to be absolutely bland looking that should have been culled when they were fry to keep the gene pool clean.

I don't think it'll be a short-body, but it definitely has a more compact body and not the long Vieja body you see in most kamfas. There's folks on here that are better at ID'ing what type of flowerhorn he is, but my guess would be something similar to a ZZ Magma, Kamalau, etc. I personally like the more compact, stout body shape. He's got nice bright pearling and what seems like a developed flower line. His kok at this size is above average, and you'll really get to see his kok potential once he reaches ~4 to 5" (I'm guessing right now he's around 2.5-3"?). Take note that they can easily reach a foot in length, and the size of their kok often grows exponentially with length of body rather than linearly.

Really would like to see you post updates on him, and I'm curious about how much he will blossom as he grows. Feed him well, and avoid live, frozen, freeze-dried foods; stick with pellets, modern flowerhorn digestive systems are weak from all the in-breeding. I personally feed mine Hikari Bio-gold and Hikari Blood Red Parrot. Feed 2 to 3x a day during growth, and then reduce to 1 to 2x once adult. Keep water temp in the mid to high 70's (some do in the 80's, but that often leads to shorter lifespans in expense of faster growth). Keep pH in the high 7's, can add crushed coral to the substrate or in a bag in filter to achieve this depending on your water chemistry. Do all the other things you would do for any other aquarium (WC, filter maintenance, etc.), and you can expect him to reach a foot long in a year.

 

[Backfromthedead]

Flowerhorn are definitely one of the most aggressive fish out there for sure. They might just be the most aggressive since they were bred for, among other things, to be aggressive at and interactive with their owners (bettas were bred for aggression too, hence their nickname Siamese Fighting Fish, but more towards other male bettas rather than aggressive towards anything & everything like Flowerhorn). There are stories on the internet of flowerhorn beating up arowanas twice their size. That being said, don't expect your flowerhorn to ever get along with any tankmates. In fact, the more testosterone in a flowerhorn (which forms the nice body shape and big kok), the meaner they'll be. Expect to keep your flowerhorn alone (plus you don't want to risk a nice flowerhorn getting hurt).

Your little guy DEFINITELY has potential. I'm actually quite ecstatic about yours since you got super lucky with a petco flowerhorn. Most big box store flowerhorns turn out to be absolutely bland looking that should have been culled when they were fry to keep the gene pool clean.

I don't think it'll be a short-body, but it definitely has a more compact body and not the long Vieja body you see in most kamfas. There's folks on here that are better at ID'ing what type of flowerhorn he is, but my guess would be something similar to a ZZ Magma, Kamalau, etc. I personally like the more compact, stout body shape. He's got nice bright pearling and what seems like a developed flower line. His kok at this size is above average, and you'll really get to see his kok potential once he reaches ~4 to 5" (I'm guessing right now he's around 2.5-3"?). Take note that they can easily reach a foot in length, and the size of their kok often grows exponentially with length of body rather than linearly.

Really would like to see you post updates on him, and I'm curious about how much he will blossom as he grows. Feed him well, and avoid live, frozen, freeze-dried foods; stick with pellets, modern flowerhorn digestive systems are weak from all the in-breeding. I personally feed mine Hikari Bio-gold and Hikari Blood Red Parrot. Feed 2 to 3x a day during growth, and then reduce to 1 to 2x once adult. Keep water temp in the mid to high 70's (some do in the 80's, but that often leads to shorter lifespans in expense of faster growth). Keep pH in the high 7's, can add crushed coral to the substrate or in a bag in filter to achieve this depending on your water chemistry. Do all the other things you would do for any other aquarium (WC, filter maintenance, etc.), and you can expect him to reach a foot long in a year.

Yes ive kept a few FH before with varying levels of success. The others ive kept were nowhere near as aggressive or predatory at a small size but are always meanies when grown up.

I am keeping this one a bit different than in the past, sticking to only NLS pellets for this fish(aside from the 8 unfortunate lampeyes he already ate), using aragonite sand left over from my old fowlr setup. If he develops well he will get either the 72x32 or 84x24 tank all to himself which is much more luxurious than any of my previous fish had and hopefully will pay off.

Will keep updating providing he stays healthy.

 

[Bassmaster360]

Yes ive kept a few FH before with varying levels of success. The others ive kept were nowhere near as aggressive or predatory at a small size but are always meanies when grown up.

I am keeping this one a bit different than in the past, sticking to only NLS pellets for this fish(aside from the 8 unfortunate lampeyes he already ate), using aragonite sand left over from my old fowlr setup. If he develops well he will get either the 72x32 or 84x24 tank all to himself which is much more luxurious than any of my previous fish had and hopefully will pay off.

Will keep updating providing he stays healthy.

Fantastic. Curious, why did you decide to get flowerhorn from Petco rather than getting a slightly bigger flowerhorn that shows obvious genetic potential? I ask because it doesn't seem like $ is the problem since you have all these big tanks and setups. There are absolutely fantastic flowerhorn available on eBay, AquaBid, etc.

 

[Backfromthedead]

Fantastic. Curious, why did you decide to get flowerhorn from Petco rather than getting a slightly bigger flowerhorn that shows obvious genetic potential? I ask because it doesn't seem like $ is the problem since you have all these big tanks and setups. There are absolutely fantastic flowerhorn available on eBay, AquaBid, etc.

Well, since you asked. I've had some recent big fails with the last couple tanks I attempted. Lost plenty of nice, expensive fish in the process. Right now I'm keeping very minimal stock in 2 tanks, working on my fishkeeping fundamentals. In the past ive gotten busy, distracted with work, family, tankbuilding, or other hobbies and the fish paid the price for it.

I'm determined at least for now to stick with locally sourced fish which for me means either the petsmart around the corner or the petco down the street. Even though I'd love to keep lots of exotic species, there are plenty of nice fish that need homes right here in my town.

On top of that, I've had great success with petco/petsmart flowerhorns in the past. Here's the last one I grew out, he was a big boy.


As far as the tanks go, don't be fooled! I build all my tanks and stands from scrap glass and lumber I pick up on the cheap or free on craigslist. The 84x24x24 is my most recent find and imo was a steal at $200

New used tank! Vol. III

Found another craigslist gem, this time it's in great shape and did not come with hazardous waste like so many people try to push on you. This time it's a mint condition oceanic 7-foot 220 gallon that a gentleman fishkeeper had kept in perfect storage for over 20 years. What a score. I...

www.monsterfishkeepers.com

 

[Bassmaster360]

Well, since you asked. I've had some recent big fails with the last couple tanks I attempted. Lost plenty of nice, expensive fish in the process. Right now I'm keeping very minimal stock in 2 tanks, working on my fishkeeping fundamentals. In the past ive gotten busy, distracted with work, family, tankbuilding, or other hobbies and the fish paid the price for it.

I'm determined at least for now to stick with locally sourced fish which for me means either the petsmart around the corner or the petco down the street. Even though I'd love to keep lots of exotic species, there are plenty of nice fish that need homes right here in my town.

On top of that, I've had great success with petco/petsmart flowerhorns in the past. Here's the last one I grew out, he was a big boy.
View attachment 1494721

As far as the tanks go, don't be fooled! I build all my tanks and stands from scrap glass and lumber I pick up on the cheap or free on craigslist. The 84x24x24 is my most recent find and imo was a steal at $200

New used tank! Vol. III

Found another craigslist gem, this time it's in great shape and did not come with hazardous waste like so many people try to push on you. This time it's a mint condition oceanic 7-foot 220 gallon that a gentleman fishkeeper had kept in perfect storage for over 20 years. What a score. I...

www.monsterfishkeepers.com

Ah gotcha, thanks for the descriptive explanation of your life and fishkeeping-hobby circumstances. Sounds like you're on the right path to reigniting your aquarium passion. We've all been there in this hobby with epic fails and headaches. I like to tell people that when everything is going great, it's a very relaxing stress-relieving hobby... when things fail, it's anxiety provoking and expensive! That past flowerhorn (looks like a classic/traditional red dragon) is indeed more beautiful than what I usually expect from a Petco/Petsmart flowerhorn (I've seen a lot of ugly ducklings both online and in person). I wouldn't be surprised if your current flowerhorn surpasses it... although it may be a different strain of flowerhorn (more pearling, less red). You must have an eye for selecting flowerhorn fingerling and/or your stores happen to have a decent flowerhorn source.

Just feel like sharing, here's my new flowerhorn that I got a few weeks ago. I took a relatively long hiatus from the aquarium hobby, and now I'm back in it in my new house.



Let me know if you wanna know where I got this guy online. I've never dealt with an online fish dealer who packaged a fish so well for shipping. He arrived very healthy and went through quarantine with no issues whatsoever (parasites, lethargy, loss of appetite, etc.). The seller has many beautiful FH.

 

[Backfromthedead]

Ah gotcha, thanks for the descriptive explanation of your life and fishkeeping-hobby circumstances. Sounds like you're on the right path to reigniting your aquarium passion. We've all been there in this hobby with epic fails and headaches. I like to tell people that when everything is going great, it's a very relaxing stress-relieving hobby... when things fail, it's anxiety provoking and expensive! That past flowerhorn (looks like a classic/traditional red dragon) is indeed more beautiful than what I usually expect from a Petco/Petsmart flowerhorn (I've seen a lot of ugly ducklings both online and in person). I wouldn't be surprised if your current flowerhorn surpasses it... although it may be a different strain of flowerhorn (more pearling, less red). You must have an eye for selecting flowerhorn fingerling and/or your stores happen to have a decent flowerhorn source.

Just feel like sharing, here's my new flowerhorn that I got a few weeks ago. I took a relatively long hiatus from the aquarium hobby, and now I'm back in it in my new house.

View attachment 1494724

Let me know if you wanna know where I got this guy online. I've never dealt with an online fish dealer who packaged a fish so well for shipping. He arrived very healthy and went through quarantine with no issues whatsoever (parasites, lethargy, loss of appetite, etc.). The seller has many beautiful FH.

Yes it was by chance that I saw these 2 fish and was impressed enough to buy them on my biweekly petco stop...ive passed on many others before, dont know where they source but it's only once in a great while they actually have FH in stock. Think I should correct your usage of "ugly duckling", since if you know the story the ugly duckling grew into a beautiful swan! Lol.

That's a great looking fish, thanks for sharing. Idk when I'll be looking next, this guy has all the attention for now.

 

[Bassmaster360]

Yes it was by chance that I saw these 2 fish and was impressed enough to buy them on my biweekly petco stop...ive passed on many others before, dont know where they source but it's only once in a great while they actually have FH in stock. Think I should correct your usage of "ugly duckling", since if you know the story the ugly duckling grew into a beautiful swan! Lol.

That's a great looking fish, thanks for sharing. Idk when I'll be looking next, this guy has all the attention for now.

haha! Let me rephrase that to "ugly ducklings that grew up into absolutely ugly swans".

 

[HybridFinatic]

Bassmaster360 Petco can have some gems just like the fish Op just showed us. That fish is dope. The fun of raising a petco flowerhorn. They are comparatively dirt cheap so if it doesn’t development the way you thought it would you can always rehome, look out for another. And it really is like taking a perceived ugly duckling (cheap petco fish) and it growing into an impressive and beautiful swan. It’s fun to experience, a bit of a gamble, but can be very rewarding and I would totally do it again and I’m aware of many high quality flowerhorn sources. Just have to have an eye for quality at a small size. My petco flowerhorn I had for a short time is linked below and I also believe Magnus_Bane had a petco flowerhorn if he wants to share. I’m referring to the one in his profile picture.

my new petco flowerhorn growth progress thread

This is him a couple weeks after I got him. he is showing awesome personality just like most flowerhorn and great color. I think he is an SRD. Please let me know if you think different. I will update his growth over the next few months on this thread. Feel free to post your Petco/Petsmart...

www.monsterfishkeepers.com

 

[Rusty91]

I've had this FH about 3 months now, dont quite know what to make of him.
View attachment 1494708
I had 2 of these initially at around 2" in my 72x32 tank. That arrangement lasted 3 days as they were viciously fighting even at that small size. i threw this one in a 135 with 19 lampeye tetras, where he immediately took out 8 of them before i knew what was going on, eviscerated and consumed their bellies.

After that he resided in the 150g sump-refugium until the other hyperactive FH wriggled out somehow. Now this guy has the 200 all to himself.

I think he's got a lot of potential. Has to be one of the meanest little fish I've had. I taped my feeding door onto the tank so this one can't get out like the other. He's getting fatter faster than longer. Anyone think he's a shortbody variant maybe?

Looks pretty like a smaller version of mine ?