New Flowerhorn follow up questions

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With any hybrid cichlid, there are certain percentages of a spawn that deviate from the line bred colors (perhaps up to 30% or more), and revert to dull... what some people call low grade colors. The same happens with the cyprinid equivalents of FHs (goldfish) where perhaps 30% will not be gold. And sometimes it takes a long time for colors to appear.
If the seller didn't let the fry grow out long enough to cull out that percentage, its possible a buyer gets a more dull or drab, than expected individual.
Just because 2 "red dragons" are mated together doesn't mean the all or even most of the fry will all grow up to be "Red Dragon" like.
Out of a spawn maybe only 10% will show the expected traits, and 90 % will need to to be culled.
And there is a good chance that when two different species are mated, the progeny can (instead of producing vibrant colors) produce generic dull or drab generic cichlid hybrids.
Below a real Trimac, one of the true cichlids used to create hybrid flower horns.
 
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duanes said:
With any hybrid cichlid, there are certain percentages of a spawn that deviate from the line bred colors (perhaps up to 30% or more), and revert to dull... what some people call low grade colors. The same happens with the cyprinid equivalents of FHs (goldfish) where perhaps 30% will not be gold. And sometimes it takes a long time for colors to appear.
If the seller didn't let the fry grow out long enough to cull out that percentage, its possible a buyer gets a more dull or drab, than expected individual.
Just because 2 "red dragons" are mated together doesn't mean the all or even most of the fry will all grow up to be "Red Dragon" like.
Out of a spawn maybe only 10% will show the expected traits, and 90 % will need to to be culled.
And there is a good chance that when two different species are mated, the progeny can (instead of producing vibrant colors) produce generic dull or drab generic cichlid hybrids.
Below a real Trimac, one of the true cichlids used to create hybrid flower horns.
Click to expand...

Absolutely spot on !!
 
So it sounds like it’s a matter of me getting a poor quality FH or it hasn’t colored up yet. I guess I’ll just keep taking care of this guy and see. I was concerned that the poor coloration so far was a health issue or something I’m doing wrong. It sucks if I got ripped tho. I paid $25 plus $15 shipping, So I guess at least I didn’t get taken for too much.
 
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duanes said:
With any hybrid cichlid, there are certain percentages of a spawn that deviate from the line bred colors (perhaps up to 30% or more), and revert to dull... what some people call low grade colors. The same happens with the cyprinid equivalents of FHs (goldfish) where perhaps 30% will not be gold. And sometimes it takes a long time for colors to appear.
If the seller didn't let the fry grow out long enough to cull out that percentage, its possible a buyer gets a more dull or drab, than expected individual.
Just because 2 "red dragons" are mated together doesn't mean the all or even most of the fry will all grow up to be "Red Dragon" like.
Out of a spawn maybe only 10% will show the expected traits, and 90 % will need to to be culled.
And there is a good chance that when two different species are mated, the progeny can (instead of producing vibrant colors) produce generic dull or drab generic cichlid hybrids.
Below a real Trimac, one of the true cichlids used to create hybrid flower horns.
Click to expand...
So far, it looks like mine is taking after the Trimac coloring
 
Another factor, is that in any hybrid spawn, a certain percentage of the fry will look like the mother, and another percentage will look like the father, and especially if this is a first time pairing of two species.
 
To be honest. I don't think he is all that bad looking. Shape wise it seems spot on. Colours are down to what the viewer likes to see really. Don't get hung up on your FH I love my grade Z just as much as my blue dragon :) enjoy your ownership mate !!!!
 
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Joshuakahan said:
So it sounds like it’s a matter of me getting a poor quality FH or it hasn’t colored up yet. I guess I’ll just keep taking care of this guy and see. I was concerned that the poor coloration so far was a health issue or something I’m doing wrong. It sucks if I got ripped tho. I paid $25 plus $15 shipping, So I guess at least I didn’t get taken for too much.
Click to expand...
It’s both
 
Also Okiko flowerhorn food is just as much of a scam as the person you bought this flowerhorn from. Go for something like hikari or new life spectrum.
 
I use hikari gold with all my cichlids. They don't take to them instantly though. A quick spray with the garlic and they are all over them !!!
 
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