Keeping Flowerhorns Outside

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DevonEli

Jack Dempsey
MFK Member
Apr 27, 2007
34
1
38
Twin Cities
It's finally that time of year and starting to warm up in my area, so I'm thinking about keeping my flowerhorn outside for the summer. Any tips from those of you who do it? I'll put him in a 100g stock tank (buried) with hyacinth and water lettuce- no filter or heater. Temps are in the 80s during the day but drops to the 60s overnight. Will it be okay in there? And is it worth the risk? I've heard the sunshine does wonders for their colors.

Thanks.
 
DevonEli;1914573; said:
It's finally that time of year and starting to warm up in my area, so I'm thinking about keeping my flowerhorn outside for the summer. Any tips from those of you who do it? I'll put him in a 100g stock tank (buried) with hyacinth and water lettuce- no filter or heater. Temps are in the 80s during the day but drops to the 60s overnight. Will it be okay in there? And is it worth the risk? I've heard the sunshine does wonders for their colors.

Thanks.
Click to expand...


If your "pond" is atleast partially buried it will hold temps well . If its in area that gets lots sun even direct sun all day your fine the lower part of "pond" is actually cooler than few inches near surface.
I prefer sunny area over shade the fish colors look way nicer and again aslong buried ESP for warm water fish NOT koi than your fine.
Your fish can go cooler or warmer if your stock tank atleast 1 1/2 feet deep .
I have cichlids here in Miami direct sunlight from 11 am to 6pm and with floating plants and ponds being partially buried the temps stay low to mid 80s first 6 inches them drops after that to the point I put my arm in the water and notice big difference.
Some fish are prone to jump and you might want to use egg crate or screen . You only need it around the stock tank this way your plants wont be bothered by it.

I do a water change by siphoning bottom water from pond before it rains or after and adding rain water that I catch in rain barrels .
just add a few large plastic plant pots so he can use them as caves,etc to escape bright light.
The whole thing is very easy and I have never had the slightest problem only unreal colors and "feisty" fish add some tiny cheap fish just to keep mosquitos at bay .
 
Sounds good. But I think you should turn on the heater at night.
 
personally id also have to heater on at night set at like 70-75 just to keep the temp from fluctuating to much
 
Both replies gave great advice I dont know what temps your area gets at night and better safe than sorry a heater set at 70/75 is a safe guard chances are you wont need it but wont hurt.

This is a pic of screen "guard" I added to a "pond" that now houses fire belly toads and didnt want them escaping its just to give an idea of something you can use which allows plants like water hycathin to be placed in middle while corners prevent fish from jumping or "swimming out" after massive down pours.

They are held in place with plastic clips but silicone works to

POND GUARD.JPG
 
Yes if conditions are good and predators arent an issue or you take precautions to safe guard your fish they do great outside.
I have fire belly toads that had for 4 yrs put them out last month and they spawned though nothing has hatched from the jelly mass yet but atleast they spawned.
For the most part I keep everything outside other than my snakes and my wife lol but in a tank you do see them much better which is big plus
 
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