what should I feed my new flowerhorn?

[xxaprilrose]

I bought a flowerhorn today and pick him up within the next week. What should I buy for his food? I do not care about the hump on his head but would like to keep his bright colors. I refer to him as a he because I think he is? But I am not entirely sure. Here are some pics for reference. Pics just DO NOT do his color justice!

 

[Rtc/tsn]

I bought a flowerhorn today and pick him up within the next week. What should I buy for his food? I do not care about the hump on his head but would like to keep his bright colors. I refer to him as a he because I think he is? But I am not entirely sure. Here are some pics for reference. Pics just DO NOT do his color justice!

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View attachment 1464845

Yes that’s a male. Personally I would make him mango ? because of the yellow coloring all over along with the red markings. As Deadeye woudl suggest, try Hikari cichlid gold pellets. That’s what I ordered today for my FH. Gorgeous flowerhorn.

 

[Deadeye]

Gorgeous flowerhorn!
Hump size varies based on breed, gender, and various in tank factors.
Looks to be male but hard to tell with flowerhorns.
Hikari cichlid gold is a good food. There are also many foods specifically made for parrots and flowerhorns to bring out the red coloration. Hikari has one.

 

[1 2many]

I would get a small portion of whatever the store has been feeding him and if it’s not high quality, I would switch over to some Hikari predator food sticks and Tetra freeze dried shrimp (jumbokrill).

 

[Magnus_Bane]

Gorgeous flowerhorn!
Hump size varies based on breed, gender, and various in tank factors.
Looks to be male but hard to tell with flowerhorns.
Hikari cichlid gold is a good food. There are also many foods specifically made for parrots and flowerhorns to bring out the red coloration. Hikari has one.

Yup, never be fooled by their kok size. I learned that one the hard way when I kept trying to breed 2 females together lol. It just so happened 1 of the females had her father's kok genetics so she grew a small doorknob on her head. Her name was Big Bertha because of how manly her appearance was.

But yes I'd agree that hikarii gold would be a good one. I also feed mine some omega one pellets along with hikarii blood red parrot formula just to help boost those red colors. They also get the occasional treat of a worm or some other bug/fish. I noticed mine have developed a weird taste for wasps for some strange reason.

 

[Deadeye]

On a natural food method, shrimp is supposed to be good for reds. Similar to how flamingos get their pink color. I know it also works for piranhas to get very red bellies. Should work for cichlids as well.

 

[Krismo962]

I fed hikari cichlid bio gold and hikari sinking cichlid pellets,I wouldn't feed an FH anything but pellets they're digestive system is too sensitive imo.If you want to enhance the red colouration you could feed hikari blood red parrot pellets.

 

[Jexnell]

Freeze dried krill did wonders for my Oscar.
Pre Krill each meal

After a few months of krill each meal

Lastly adult coloration

Her staple was Hikari Carnisticks

 

[cichlid@ddict]

Welcome to the GB club! Down below is Star Burst. Personally for him. He's on hong feng blood parrot food, soaked krill, and thawed shrimp. Highly recommended deshelled pea once a week to help with digestive. Happy fish keeping.