Top Eleven Myths About Flowerhorns and Those Who Keep Them

[dogofwar]

Many in the ACA object to "acceptance" of flowerhorns (and, logically, those who keep them) because of mis-perceptions (myths) about flowerhorns and those who keep them. Flowerhorns destroy conservation. Really? Flowerhorn keepers are irresponsible. Really? Flowerhorns are a fad. Really?

As someone who spends a lot of time in "traditional" cichlid circles, here are some of the top myths that I hear about Flowerhorns and those who keep them.

Agree / disagree? What have I missed?

Matt

Top Eleven Myths About Flowerhorns and Those Who Keep Them

1) Flowerhorns aren’t cichlids.

2) Flowerhorn keepers and breeders are only in it for the money

3) Flowerhorns destroy conservation of cichlids in the hobby and in the wild

4) Flowerhorn keepers are irresponsible

5) Flowerhorns are random creations or accidents

6) Flowerhorn keepers only keep flowerhorns

7) Flowerhorns are a passing fad

8) Flowerhorn keepers aren’t "advanced hobbysists"

9) Flowerhorns are disfigured or dyed

10) Flowerhorn keepers don't care about conservation, education, or fellowship with other hobbyists

11) Flowerhorns are "bad" because they're different than what is found in the wild

 

[voss345]

Many in the ACA object to "acceptance" of flowerhorns (and, logically, those who keep them) because of mis-perceptions (myths) about flowerhorns and those who keep them. Flowerhorns destroy conservation. Really? Flowerhorn keepers are irresponsible. Really? Flowerhorns are a fad. Really?

As someone who spends a lot of time in "traditional" cichlid circles, here are some of the top myths that I hear about Flowerhorns and those who keep them.

Agree / disagree? What have I missed?

Matt

Top Eleven Myths About Flowerhorns and Those Who Keep Them

1) Flowerhorns aren’t cichlids.

2) Flowerhorn keepers and breeders are only in it for the money

3) Flowerhorns destroy conservation of cichlids in the hobby and in the wild

4) Flowerhorn keepers are irresponsible

5) Flowerhorns are random creations or accidents

6) Flowerhorn keepers only keep flowerhorns

7) Flowerhorns are a passing fad

8) Flowerhorn keepers aren’t "advanced hobbysists"

9) Flowerhorns are disfigured or dyed

10) Flowerhorn keepers don't care about conservation, education, or fellowship with other hobbyists

11) Flowerhorns are "bad" because they're different than what is found in the wild

lol just commenting on # 6 right now. I have over 15 tanks and only 5 have flowerhorns... whats in the other tanks? African, central and south american cichlids... lol

 

[dogofwar]

"8) Flowerhorn keepers aren’t advanced hobbysists"

A variation on this one is that Flowerhorn keepers aren't "serious" hobbyists

 

[MN_Rebel]

1. False because they are cichlids, just not pure ones
2. Depends on who breed and who own...
3. True because it is threatening to the purebred cichlids by mudding up their pure genetics.
4. False but depends on how mature they are...
5. False theres too many strains...no way that all of them created by accident,
6. False theres too many thread about "my FH bred with con or BP or red devils"
7. False (new strains appeared lately)
8. False, they are very hardy
9. Depends on what strains but false on dyed part
10. Depends on who...
11. True because it doesnt make any sense why theres too many strains of complex hybrids while theres 4,000 species of cichlids existed.

 

[dogofwar]

Please explain why they are not myths...

 

[terminalMTS]

flowerhorns do not affect conservation. they are tank bred fish. they have less of an impact than catching wild fish. the only way they could impact conservation is if they were released into the native waters of other similar species. i don't know about you guys, but i am not going to release a 200 dollar fish anywhere. most of these things are just antihybrid propaganda meant to get people to join the cause. i don't like it when people try to pass off low grade fh as some pure species, but most fh owners don't do this. fh have brought alot of people into this hobby and that is good for everyone. more sales of tanks, equipment, and supplies create compitition from companies and lower prices for everyone. hopefully people will wake up and see this for what it is.... crap.

 

[MN_Rebel]

flowerhorns do not affect conservation. they are tank bred fish. they have less of an impact than catching wild fish. the only way they could impact conservation is if they were released into the native waters of other similar species. i don't know about you guys, but i am not going to release a 200 dollar fish anywhere. most of these things are just antihybrid propaganda meant to get people to join the cause. i don't like it when people try to pass off low grade fh as some pure species, but most fh owners don't do this. fh have brought alot of people into this hobby and that is good for everyone. more sales of tanks, equipment, and supplies create compitition from companies and lower prices for everyone. hopefully people will wake up and see this for what it is.... crap.

Too bad the FH already in the Florida canals and in the Asia where they threatened the Asian cichlids by outcompleted them in the native waterways. What happened to Trimac these days...we are no longer to trust any LFS trimac if we wanted pure trimac and are forced to import these wild trimac or from private breeders.

 

[scotty61]

wow first off is this how you feel ? or is it some thing you learned from others.

1. disagree. flower horns are from cross breeding different CICHLIDS
2. disagree. I know many other flowerhorn breeders-keepers that do it for the pure love for it.
3. thats one im not siding on there are who throw out there fish into the wild. and some cull them.
4. disagree. not even going to waste time on that one.
5. agree. that is true but i also have to say breeders tend to pick the best of the best to improve on what they have. so there is more to it then an accident
6. disagree. I my self have black ghosts , angels , rams and a few tetras
7. disagree. look on aguabid. talk to others in the fish world. you may be suprised.
8. agree-disagree anyone can breed fish. its how and what you make of it that makes the difference " what do you mean by advanced ? "
9. agree yes ive seen fish that were dyed. none were fh and yes ive have seen fish that were disfigured.
10. disagree. thats another i wont even waste time on
11. disagree. there are many things in the world that are different


i like the fact we all have the right to express our selfs

 

[fishfreak317]

Too bad the FH already in the Florida canals and in the Asia where they threatened the Asian cichlids by outcompleted them in the native waterways. What happened to Trimac these days...we are no longer to trust any LFS trimac if we wanted pure trimac and are forced to import these wild trimac or from private breeders.

based on NAS there are no reported concentrations of flowerhorns in US waters.

trimacs are still there man. you just gotta suck it up and spend the extra loot to get a real one from a reputable seller.

this argument needs to come to a rest. i get soooo tired of reading stuff related to trimacs & flowerhorns.

anyone with the least bit of knowledge on both can EASILY tell the difference even at younger ages.

 

[haloman02]

Too bad the FH already in the Florida canals and in the Asia where they threatened the Asian cichlids by outcompleted them in the native waterways. What happened to Trimac these days...we are no longer to trust any LFS trimac if we wanted pure trimac and are forced to import these wild trimac or from private breeders.

Show me an article where is shows Flowerhorns in florida canals and as far as I know there arent Asian Cichlids. If im wrong about asian cichlids show me one.