How to Properly Manage Your Flowerhorn Fish Aquarium

Proper Fish Tank Management

Success in breeding flowerhorns
is a result of proper
fish tank management.

Introduction (Cichlids)

The practice of managing a fish tank, particularly the aquarium you will use in breeding your flowerhorn pairs, is far more important than choosing the correct fish. Choosing a good pair of flowerhorn is also essential but if you have not educated yourself in accurate fish tank management, your pair will suffer and the breeding procedure will be wasted. When it comes to keeping your flower horns in good quality condition, you must be aware of the dos and don’ts of fish tank management. You must be knowledgeable about how you can maintain the cleanliness of your aquariums and how you can provide a great home for your breeders as well. A dedicated hobbyist takes time to learn the basic and the advance of keeping the flowerhorn parents in a wealthy and healthy condition to produce baby flowerhorn fish.

A well-maintained aquarium and choosing the right parent to be bred go together in harmony to produce good results. It is safe to say that it is vital for us to become skilled when these procedures are concerned. While it is very important for us hobbyists to have a good knowledge in breeding flowerhorn fish, it is also essential that we should have the proper knowledge in fish tank management.

Managing your Flowerhorn Fish Aquarium

It is advisable to place your fish tank closely to natural habitat of flowerhorns. It will not only benefit the pair breeder but it is also provides good, natural view for your eyes. As the fish descendants started on Asia, it is indeed great for them to inhabit a place where they can simulate a good natural habintat. There are many sizes and designs of aquariums which are available at the local pet shop. You may begin your journey by choosing a size that will allow your fish to grow, Assuming that your flowerhorn fish will develop its size into about 600-700 mm in length, you may want to choose a fish tank that is 2 and a half to 3 feet in length. That is about 20 to 26 gallons of water. If possible, purchase a fiber glass fish tank as these aquariums are light in weight and durable.

Place the aquarium in a flat rack preferably with steel support for durability and stability. Never put the stand in a curved surface as this will cause problems in the future. Put a Styrofoam or a rubber sheet on the rack before positioning the fish tank. The rubber material will provide cushion for the aquarium.

Once you have placed the fish tank in proper position, you may want to consider putting attractive background. There are several backgrounds that you can choose from and can be purchased at your local fish store. Colored pebbles, gravels and ocean stones are few of many decorations you can buy. It is a good idea to consider about your budget and your taste when buying tank accessories.

Stones and pebbles in your fish tank will not only provide as natural filtration but will also serve as a tool to help flowerhorn fish smoothen their teeth. Always remember that adult flowerhorn have sharp teeth and when they begin to breed, this may cause them to accidentally injure each other. Stones will somehow polish their teeth allowing them to take those sharp edges a bit. These stones will also provide them materials when they start to build their nest for the breeding procedure.

Be sure to distribute the stones and pebbles evenly on the surface of the fish tank so as to promote a good habitat for your flowerhorn pair. However, putting plastic ornamental plants and other hard objects is not a good idea as these decorations will only provide obstacles and might damage the flowerhorn’s fins and scales as well as their overall appearance.

Lighting is very important when it comes to flowerhorn fish tank management and its general requirements. Appropriate aquarium light will improve flowerhorn’s coloration and physical enhancement. It is advisable to put your tank in a place where it can get indirect sunlight. Installing a full scale light is a good idea when sunlight is not possible.

The quality of the water is one thing to consider as well. While flowerhorn fishes are flexible and can adapt several conditions of water, this does not indicate that you can ignore water quality. Proper water management should be a priority and must be deal with care. A regular water change is recommended to promote healthier fishes and better quality of breeds. Hobbyists should see water conditions every now and then.

Water temperature should also be taken with caution as it a crucial necessity in breeding flowerhorn as well as fish tank management. It is a fact that flowerhorn fishes are tropical in nature and they can survive in water with different temperature but it is also a fact that they should be kept in water ranging from 26 to 28 degree centigrade. If you think your flowerhorn is sick, I advise to raised the temperature of the water a bit higher, 30 degree centigrade but not higher than 32 degree centigrade. You can monitor the changes and the temperature of the water by installing a water proof thermometer.

Flowerhorn’s simulated habitat needs a great filtration system to avoid certain algae from forming in. Large amount of dirt and wastes from the water will cause diseases and biological problems. Electronic filters and screen mechanism can solve these problems. Invest on filtration filters that are highly durable and is suitable for the size and capacity of your fish tank. It may cost you a bit more higher but will constantly provide you filtration system that you need in proper fish tank management.