Flowerhorn

Amphilophus hybrid

A man-made cichlid prized for its enormous head hump (the "kok") and pearl-studded body. Believed by some to bring good fortune.

An aggressive freshwater fish that grows to 30 cm, lives in the middle of the tank and needs 26–31 °C, pH 6.8–8.0 and an aquarium of at least 250 L.

Care at a glance

Water

Freshwater

Temperature

26–31 °C (79–88 °F)

pH

6.8–8.0

Adult size

30 cm (12 in)

Aquarium

250 L or bigger (66 US gal)

Temperament

Aggressive

Group size

Fine on its own

Swims

Middle

Diet

Omnivore

Wild home

Bred in Malaysia & Taiwan

Good to know

• Solo male. Two males of this species fight to the death.
• Territorial. Fights other territorial fish in its zone, especially in small tanks.
• Hardy. Tolerates less-than-perfect water. Great for beginners.
• Eats invertebrates. Hunts shrimp, snails and crabs.

Tank mates

Good company: Black Ghost Knifefish.

Will eat: Amano Shrimp, Betta, Black Skirt Tetra, Bloodfin Tetra, Boesemani Rainbowfish, Cardinal Tetra, Celestial Pearl Danio, Cherry Barb, Chili Rasbora, Cockatoo Dwarf Cichlid, Congo Tetra, Corydoras and 32 more.

Eaten by: Asian Arowana.

Fights with: Demasoni Cichlid, Firemouth Cichlid, Jack Dempsey, Pea Puffer, Yellow Lab Cichlid.

Attacks: Angelfish, Asian Arowana, Axolotl, Bala Shark, Betta, Black Skirt Tetra, Bloodfin Tetra, Boesemani Rainbowfish, Bristlenose Pleco, Cardinal Tetra, Celestial Pearl Danio, Cherry Barb and 46 more.

Eats the newborn fry of: Angelfish, Axolotl, Bristlenose Pleco, Comet Goldfish, Discus, Electric Blue Acara, Fancy Goldfish, Firemouth Cichlid, Frontosa, Jack Dempsey, Oscar, Pearl Gourami and 2 more.

Its fry are eaten by: Angelfish, Axolotl, Black Ghost Knifefish, Electric Blue Acara, Firemouth Cichlid, Frontosa, Jack Dempsey, Motoro Stingray, Ornate Bichir, Oscar, Siamese Tigerfish.

Grown ones eat their own newborn fry, so raise the young in another aquarium.

Colours and breeding

• Red Dragon epic
• Kamfa epic
• Golden Base legendary

In Aquarius a grown male and female breed in a healthy tank. Their young are born about 0.6 cm long and take after one of the parents.

Now and then a rare mutation shows up: Golden Base.

The care values are the ones Aquarius uses, based on how these animals live. Tank mates follow the game's rules: water type, temperature and pH, who can swallow whom, fin nipping, temperament and territory.