Flowerhorn purchase?

[HokieFish]

There isn't much doubt in my mind that the best FH i've seen come from Thailand. That being said there is a lot of risk and extra costs associated with importing these fish.
I would definately look locally, or possibly try to find someone on here that has fry where you can see the parents and others that they have grown out from previous spawnings.
Just keep an eye open and something will come along that you like.

 

[Natural Born Killer]

Buy locally,there are plenty of great FH in America..Local fish clubs and venders of websites like this will hook you up.

 

[Arofreak]

I forgot to mention Albert and Roy from

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Sunandstars Flowerhorns usually have pretty good looking fish. They only charged 40 for usps express overnight from LA to Green Bay WI area and packages very nice too. There prices on flowerhorns are usually very moderate not over the top prices. I would buy from them again in a heart beat.

 

[FishFreak95]

LOL sorry but I think overseas is THE way to go if you want quality. I'm sorry but I am extremely particular with my FH and I wouldn't buy one from some locals basement... Julie Tran is the best trans shipper in the states. It will cost 100 bucks to have the fish shipped to you from her. The shipping from the sellers country to USA is included in the price of the fish at auction.

So you think there are no good breeders in the US? Why wouldn't the US be able to produce Quality Flower Horns? I know there are tons of breeders who just look for a female and male FH and keep and sell the Fry regardless of quality. That doesn't mean there aren't US breeders who know what they are doing. There are overseas breeders who are not trustworthy too. Chonburiman is one example.

 

[Arofreak]

So you think there are no good breeders in the US? Why wouldn't the US be able to produce Quality Flower Horns? I know there are tons of breeders who just look for a female and male FH and keep and sell the Fry regardless of quality. That doesn't mean there aren't US breeders who know what they are doing. There are overseas breeders who are not trustworthy too. Chonburiman is one example.

I totally agree with you. There are good breeders in the US. There's a guy I know here in green bay who breed flowerhorns and texas's to the absolute highest standard! But he's more of a hobbyist not a seller. If you went to his house you will be leaving his house like Damn WTF! As for Choniburman is a shady fellow and kept spamming the sh1t out of my email account. I was going to bid on FH from him and asked for additional pics and was a totally different fish. Thailand is notorious for sending wrong, sick, or no fish period. Oh and if the thai seller says he's in the hospital he's lying and will take your money and run. Probably wont be buying any thai fish unless its in the states already.

 

[Calihawk]

Ive seen Great males in the US, but Thailand/Vietnamese females are the best. Males are a dime a dozen. Finding a super pearly female is tough.

 

[BIG_ONE]

I will have to agree somewhat here with beantickler that overseas fish are generally better overall. USA can breed nice fish, but try and go stepping into toe to toe with overseas. They'll just leave a nice comment and smile. It's how the breeding is done with which and which to throw out what and what. That makes all the difference in the world of how your frys will want to grow out and display itself. Those that are able to breed some serious quality...you'll never get a peak of the parents. The process of breeding and thinking about getting something real nice that can show up toe to toe with overseas - is harder than anyone can imagine. Tried it myself and know all too well.
@ Calihawk - pearly females are everywhere. But finding the right female to throw out the right genetic for the right combination to get the right fish. Is the real problem.

 

[BIG_ONE]

Screw thailand, Most thai sellers on aquabid are scamming pricks. I dont care much feedback they got. Most are middle men sellers that actually dont even own the fish they post. And then when you pay them if the fish was already sold they'll literally run off with your money, thankfully I used paypal. Look on craigslist in San Francisco alot of these guys import their FH through Julie Tran in San Jose they just drive there to pick up their fish. So quality of Flowerhorns seem to be higher. Bought 2 nice flowerhorns from bay area from 2 different sellers and the sellers met up and shipped them together which saved me probably 50-60 bucks. They arrived healthy via usps express overnight. I may be selling of a couple flowerhorns myself soon. I live in the green bay area. I once shipped to gary and the box arrived next day. As for stores I'm not sure you could try chinatown area in chicago. If your ever in green bay fish unlimited will have some top quality flowerhorn from time to time (from hobbyist).

Knowing your sellers and friendship through the seller is your only way into the first stepping stone for ordering from overseas. I don't worry about sellers scamming me, and I'm willing to send through Western Union(which I did on a few occasions) without any second thinking that I may get swindle. No ordered have failed me so far...

 

[cichlid_king]

The reason the breeders in Thailand and Vietnam have been breeding Flowerhorns for atleast 20 years longer than we have. Flowerhorns were huge overseas for a long time before we(hobbyists in the US) started to show interest in them. Thats why they can breed insane fish.

 

[Calihawk]

There is no "right" female...even if your 1st batch yields 10% Masterpieces it doesn't mean your next batches will be the same. Thats just it, Flowerhorns are way too mixed to be consistent. Just because you get a double dragon line female doesnt guarantee the frys will have it either, etc.

The image of a Pearly female is for sales/advertisement purposes. Im sure a lot of the frys will look decent and a small % will be stunners. But at least you can match those pearly frys with the pearly mother and pearly father. Also if you have a stunner pearly female to breed, at least you know some of the frys will turn out pearly.

Im spending $100 or more, so a washed out female is not appealing. I'll take my chances on a pearly female, since the offsprings are always a toss up.