Considering new Flowehorn

[Hidan]

My Giant Gourami just passed away and am now considering my options.

The local vendor offered me what he called a AAA quality flowerhorn (Red Dragon). Wasn't very large (probably 4") by the fish looked exceptional.

What I want to know is what is the average life of a high quality flower horn.
I have a 120 gal tank 4x2x2 and would love to house a flowerhorn with a Green Terror, but i am guessing this space won't be enough for both, correct?

 

[Dainbramage]

Don't do both! One or the other. FH's of high quality are good for about three years. Get another giant! Great fish that live forever and eat anything. Look for a redtail

 

[Hidan]

Get another giant! Great fish that live forever and eat anything. Look for a redtail

Mine was a albino giant and really good looking.
However I am not a fan of the giant. They don't seem to have much personality.
My guy lived with a Pacu and was fun for a while, but don't want another one.

I want to try something new, so considering between a Flowerhorn tank, a Green Terror tank or a discus tank. Haven't decided what yet, so gathering as much info about stuff that I can.

 

[fisheatfish]

I’ve kept all of the above. Lost track how old my white GG is (at least 12 yrs now). Have kept and bred flowerhorns for many years in the past and realized they look their best at the 1-2 year mark...if they live that long. Discus are beautiful but probably the most demanding in terms of care I’ve ever dealt with, especially when breeding them.

That tank would be perfect for a pair of green terror.

 

[Hidan]

Discus are beautiful but probably the most demanding in terms of care

Yeah that is what worries me. Not sure I have the time or patience for multiple water chances a week or discus would have been what I go for.

That tank would be perfect for a pair of green terror.

I am guessing a pair would fill the tank up and I can't keep anything else in there.
Since you have kept them, any other cichlid could live with them in a 120 gal or it wouldnt be large enough?

 

[fisheatfish]

I’ve had my male GT with 8 severums, pair of jaguars and a school of clown loaches without any problems...all in a 120 gal to grow out. Having this many along with driftwood dispersed the aggression but there was still a pecking order...the largest severum being the dominant. You may have a problem if you only intend to stock a pair of GT and one other cichlid. I’d suggest getting 6 young GT to grow out then keep a bonded pair only.

 

[Hidan]

The 120 for me isnt a growout, rather the permanent tank.

Was hoping it would be large enough to house a pair of GTs and maybe a pair of another cichlid, say Severums or Texas.

Earlier the tank had a Pacu, a Giant Gourami, 4 Oscars & a green terror all getting along fine (no idea how). The Pacu was the tank boss. (yes its overcrowded but this was more than a decade ago & it at is what you end up with when info on the internet was limited & you rely on the advise of the aquarium shops who want to sell merchandise). Most lived in there for close to a decade.

But back to the real question, would it work if I put in 4 GTs and 4 Texas and thin them down to 1 pair each or 120 isn't big enough? (I think I know the answer, but just getting confirmation from someone more knowledgeable).

 

[fisheatfish]

The 8 will do fine...Ultimately, a pair of each in the same tank may result in disaster...especially when in breeding mode.