Flowerhorn Questions

[CuppieCake]

Hello all, I am new to keeping fish. I listened to the LFS guy (I now know how wrong that was) I have a 55g with 8 fish in it. (1 FH, 2 yellow labs, 1 electric blue, eel, pleco, catfish, and some other bottom feeder.)
I know I need to separate the CA fish from the Africans I have. I do not have the tanks specs, nor have I ever tested for nitrite or nitrate. Until a couple days ago I didn't know I needed to.

I read the stickys on the flowerhorns, and wow were they informative. I bookmarked it. Thank you to the authors.

he is growing about an inch a month right now, is that normal? I am trying to figure out a time frame. He is feed 2xs a day.

Also, do all the fish develop the kok?

what is the likelihood of these 4 cichlids enjoying a long life together? I know they are from different lakes and such, but I am wondering if anyone else has every housed them this way before. My hubby DOES NOT want to get rid of the flowerhorn. And he also doesnt want to have 2 tanks. After summer we are planning to move up to either a 150 or 200 depending on what we can find.

If I can convince him to keep 2 tanks, Would a 55 be big enough for 2 FH's? male and female, if I can find a female. No other fish.

 

[Mutantseabass]

If your 55 is a standard which is 12" wide then I personally wouldnt keep a single Flowerhorn in there. Most FH will grow over 12". Some people would keep a single in there, dont get me wrong it can be done but for overall health and well being of the fish I would recommend an 18" wide tank. The water parameters of New World and Old world cichlids to me is way overhyped. Unless you have wildcaught fish, I usually never worry about hard/soft water. They are tank raised fish in city water more then likely. However you FH is going to make a nice meal of the africans soon. Not all Flowehorn develop a Kok, its all in the genetics of the fish. In my opinion you will either have to get 2 tanks or make your choice on which way you want to go.

 

[Mattyou]

Concur.

 

[CuppieCake]

ok then for me personally, I would want to get rid of the FH. And I think after my hubby sees some of the bigger kok's I might be able to get him to want to get rid of the FH as well.

and the FH has already made a nice meal of my knife fish, bala shark, dragonfish, and another bottom feeder.