Ok, back in the hobby with a flowerhorn..:

[biguebs]

Had kept various fish for awhile but have been without for a year and half, decided to fill up the empty 75 a couple weeks ago and start up the filters, etc.

I was looking for a single occupant to avoid all of the "are they co-existing" issues that come with aggressive type cichlids that I prefer. Looked at pretty much every option besides a flowerhorn and then I stumbled across this one at LFS. Liked the personality right away. So based on some research looks to be a "ZZ red dragon"? I'm sure lower grade or something but not worried about it, it's a cool fish. Anyone care to weigh in on that, male/female, etc? Maybe too early? Thinking I'm seeing male characteristics but I really don't know and it's small... about 1.5". Pics are bad, hard to get a good one as the fish does not stop moving...

 

[Brandonclark88]

I would agree. Zz RD. I'd lean more towards male at this point. And as far as quality, he's too young to tell. I'll share a pic of my male SRD I picked up back in January @3". Nothing impressive but I took a shot in the dark on him because I thought he had potential. Here he is almost 5 months later and pushing 9" and still improving month by month. Anything can happen with some good genetics, good diet, and clean water.

 

[biguebs]

I would agree. Zz RD. I'd lean more towards male at this point. And as far as quality, he's too young to tell. I'll share a pic of my male SRD I picked up back in January @3". Nothing impressive but I took a shot in the dark on him because I thought he had potential. Here he is almost 5 months later and pushing 9" and still improving month by month. Anything can happen with some good genetics, good diet, and clean water.

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Thanks, looks like you got a pretty nice one!

 

[Brandonclark88]

Thank you. I'm happy with the way he's turning out. Keep up a good diet and water quality and I'm sure yours will turn into an amazing flowerhorn =]

 

[J. H.]

Thanks, looks like you got a pretty nice one!

They all are pretty nice the only ugly flowerhorns you will see are those super high grade ones with huge koks and rolls of fat all over. They all have nice long pointed fins and good colors.

 

[biguebs]

Anyone else with an opinion on male or female? I know it's small still... I don't see any black on the dorsal and seems to be some kok getting ready to form in that one angle?