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Silk Flowerhorn
The Silk Flowerhorn (Cichlasoma Dimerus) is a colorful and beautiful fish from Thailand. It is a cichlid, which means it is a member of the family Cichlidae and is closely related to the Oscars and other South American cichlids.
Flowerhorns are also commonly known as Chinese Algae Eaters, which accurately describes their diet of algae and other plant matter but doesn’t quite encompass the beauty of this fish.
Flowerhorn Care
One aspect of caring for the Flowerhorn is maintaining an aquarium with excellent water quality.
They seem to do best in harder water conditions than other tropical fish, with a pH of 7.5-8.5 and a water hardness of 10-20 dGH.
They also need plenty of swimming space, so an aquarium measuring at least 30 gallons is recommended.
Like many other cichlids, Flowerhorns can be aggressive and should not be kept with other fish.
They are not very social and do best when kept singly, though it is possible to keep a group of them in an aquarium with plenty of hiding places amongst rocks or driftwood.
Flowerhorns also do well without any other tank mates since they like the company of humans more than other fish.
Flowerhorn Feeding
When it comes to feeding your Silk Flowerhorn, be sure to provide a varied diet that includes both meaty and plant-based foods.
Algae tablets and wafers are a good staple food, but you should also offer freeze-dried bloodworms, tubifex, shrimp, and krill.
Some people also give their Flowerhorns live food, such as earthworms, guppies, or small fish.
One of the most popular aquarium fish is the Silk Flowerhorn (Cichlasoma Dimerus). These beautiful cichlids originate from Thailand and make a great addition to any home aquarium.
While they can be aggressive towards other fish, they do well when kept as a single fish with plenty of rocks or driftwood for hiding.
They are omnivorous and need a variety of foods, including both meaty and plant-based options. Silk Flowerhorns can live up to 15 years in the home aquarium with proper care.
Flowerhorn Breeding
It is possible to breed Flowerhorns in an aquarium, but it takes a lot of patience and expertise. The fish must be conditioned with protein-rich foods until they are ready to spawn.
Then, when the male and female Flowerhorn look like they’re getting close to spawning, you should add some rocks or driftwood (or even better, an actual spawning mop) to the aquarium.
Like most cichlids, they like plenty of cover for breeding and use it to their advantage.
The female will deposit her eggs on the spawning material, which you can buy at any pet store; some people also use nylon stockings or pantyhose instead.
Once she has deposited them, the male must fertilize them. This is done by picking up the eggs then releasing them into the water to be fertilized. Then, incubate the eggs between 70 and 82 degrees F (21-28 C).
After hatching, feed newly emerged fry baby brine shrimp or other meaty foods to help them grow.
It would be best if you raised the fry until they are about 1-2 inches (2.5-5 cm) long before selling or giving them away to other fishkeepers since only owners familiar with Flowerhorn breeding will be able to care for them in their aquariums properly.
Life Span of Silk Flowerhorn:
The average life span of silk Flowerhorn is about 10 years which it can extend to 15 years if proper care and maintenance are provided.
Health Issues:
Some of the common health issues of this fish are listed below:
- Keep the aquarium clean; change the water frequently for better growth.
- Be careful while netting silk Flowerhorn as it can be aggressive to humans.
- Silk Flowerhorns love the company of humans; try to spend ample time with them.
- This fish requires non-fluorescent lighting for optimal growth.
- The Filk Flowerhorn is slow-growing fish, so do not overstock your aquarium or keep it at a high temperature.
- Increase the amount of dissolved oxygen and CO2 in the water for better growth.
- Add 2 teaspoons of salt per gallon of water for more efficient breeding and health benefits.
- Do not overfeed your fish as it can lead to increased bacterial activity, leading to filter failure.
Flowerhorn is a great addition to any home aquarium, provided that the owner is familiar with their care and feeding requirements.
With a little bit of patience and dedication, anyone can successfully breed these beautiful fish.