Blue Backgrounds

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Chrisplosion

Chrisplosion

Mean Cat
MFK Member
Jul 10, 2010
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Oregon, it's part of 'Murica!
I have come to realize that Petcos blue/black background is darker than Petsmart. So for Flowerhorn I would say get the lighter colored one from Petsmart or if you local store carries a slightly dark sky blue get that. That is unless you are painting it. Basically don't get one from Petco for Flowerhorn.
 
Interesting. I heard black backgrounds are not recommended for flowerhorns, but I think it looks good in terms of contrast...do you know why people say its not good for them?
 
Endo said:
Interesting. I heard black backgrounds are not recommended for flowerhorns, but I think it looks good in terms of contrast...do you know why people say its not good for them?
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They will become very dark in coloration, the blue brings out all colors and makes them seem to pop more IME.


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Black backgrounds are fine for FH, just as they are for all CA cichlids, which is what all FH's originate from. IME the substrate color & lighting play a much larger role in the overall coloration of the fish, than the color of the background. Most FH will still pop with color if one uses a lighter substrate, and quality lighting, with a black background, just as the colors pop with this combo in CA tanks.
 
Very interesting topic. I have a Flowerhorn in white gravel with lighter colors, and one in black sand that has awesome dark colors.

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RD. said:
Black backgrounds are fine for FH, just as they are for all CA cichlids, which is what all FH's originate from. IME the substrate color & lighting play a much larger role in the overall coloration of the fish, than the color of the background. Most FH will still pop with color if one uses a lighter substrate, and quality lighting, with a black background, just as the colors pop with this combo in CA tanks.
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Good to know! What would say then, is the quality lighting for Flowerhorns RD?
Are you refering to LED lighting or something like a Colormax T8 fluorescent lamp?


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Much of this will fall under personal preference, and what the owner finds will bring out what they personally feel is the best in their fish. Different combos in lighting, substrate and even background will affect different strains of FH in a different way, so it really boils down to what you personally like.

I just don't get where people think that the color cells of a FH are different than any other fish? If one peruses the CA cichlid media lounge you will see many large CA cichlids kept in tanks with black backgrounds, and their colors are definitely impressive, and are most certainly not affected in a negative manner by using a dark background. Most CA owners also don't find the need to use glow in the dark gravel, either. ;)

While it's true that darker or lighter background/substrate can trigger a morphological change within the chromatophore cells of a fish, flowerhorns are no different than the CA cichlids that make up the majority of their genetics. Treat them exactly the same as some of the more aggressive omnivorous CA cichlids & you'll be good to go. That includes diet, tank mates, backgrounds, substrate, lighting, etc.
 
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