FIREMOUTH Red intensity (feeding or genetics?)

[Cyberman]

I've been keeping T. Meeki for a number of years now and have come to the conclusion that Genetics isn't totally the reason why some Firemouths get the full red face and others don't. As an example I had a male from a supplier in a shop that had loads of red in the cheeks... but as it grew larger the red dissipated from those areas. My theory is that feeding food that is high in Krill and shrimps will increase redness. So with that in mind I'm experimenting with some of my Firemouths and feeding the best Flowerhorn red enhancing feds to see what changes will happen. I've been feeding some of them on XO Ever Red.

 

[Rivers2k]

I really believe it has to do with mood and breeding colors. My FM's red change quite drastically. Mine also get some really cool tiger stripes when they are upset.

 

[crush329]

Another thing to add is the fish can only be as healthy as the water it is kept in. Good food and genetics will only help so much but if their water quality isn't up to par they won't look their best. "Duanes" proved this with his fry grow out experiment. More frequent water change aids the waters quality and is also a very important factor when it comes to displaying vibrant color. I'm not saying you don't keep your water up... Just something else to try while feeding the better foods.

www.youtube.com/crushalot329

 

[Cyberman]

True Firemouths are sensitive to Nitrates so water changes are essential in their upkeep.

 

[ehh]

Foods high in krill will bring out reds due to the anasthaxin in the krill.


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[japbart]

I heard that gammarus is better than krill. Has anyone tried this?


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[qguy]

I would say both are important. I feed my Red Terror live shrimps on occasions and he turns red during this time

 

[jagsandpits]

at least twice a week feed him little pieces of raw shrimp. the reds will really intensify.

 

[RD.]

http://www.sharpfins.com/brands/xo-ocean-free


XO - Ocean Free Ever Red 100g
Enhance Strong Redness Development


$11.00


SPECIAL FEATURES
Special Red enhancing ingredient, Fish protein, Quality white fish meal, krill, spirulina, Shrimp meal, Wheat germ, Soy bean Meal, Antarctic shrimps, Wheat flour, Protease, Stable Multi-Vitamin and mineral, Lecithin, immune substance, Calcium,Enzyme, Organic minerals etc.

ANALYSIS
Protein: min 52%, Fat: min 3.5%, Fiber: max 3.8%, Ash: max. 13%





FYI - the "Special Red enhancing ingredient" is most likely, almost with certainty, Carophyll Pink, or Carophyll Red, which are synthetic color enhancing agents used in the salmon industry, and by egg producers. You can read more about these products and their use on fish in the following past discussion.

http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/f...My-Red-Discus-Before-amp-After-Carophyll-Pink




My own personal advice, if you want to get the most potential out of the genetics of your fish in the red spectrum, feed them a premium diet that contains high levels of natural forms of astaxanthin, such as Haematococcus pluvalis, keep your water clean, and your fish as stress free as possible.


Leave the high protein overpriced Asian made crap food for the kids who own flowerhorns etc that actually need synthetic color enhancement just to look good.

 

[Cyberman]

How'd we get a Firemouth as red as this?