MAN MADE CICHLIDS
They are the most recent additions and have been manifested by man by the methods of cross breeding different fishes. Although a hit with many a people, there is a strong community of purist hobbyists who completely abstain from buying this strain. Example Of man-made cichlids are: - Blood Parrots, Other parrot varieties, Flowerhorn varieties, Mammons, Red Texas, etc. These fishes do best on a ph level of 6 – 7 range, since these hybrid varieties consist of mostly South and Central American parents.
FLOWERHORNS
The Flowerhorn Fish, also known with the Chinese common name Hua Luo Han is a fish that does not exist in nature. It is a man-made hybrid result of various cross-breeding of South America cichlids. First developed in Malaysia, Thailand, and Taiwan, they are now kept by fish hobbyists worldwide.
Care: Flowerhorn cichlids have a life span of 10–12 years. They are usually kept at a water temperature of 80–85 °F, and a pH of 7.4–8.0.
Being aggressive and territorial, two or more flowerhorns are usually not kept together, but the tank housing them can be divided up with acrylic dividers or egg crates. They are indeed a very colourful and one of the, if not the MOST playful fish in the hobby. Also, they are one of the HARDIEST fishes in the fishkeeping hobby, making them more popular. The Chinese believe that keeping the Luo Han or Flowerhorn fish in their home would bring them good luck.
Flowerhorns are usually divided in the following breeds:
Care: Flowerhorn cichlids have a life span of 10–12 years. They are usually kept at a water temperature of 80–85 °F, and a pH of 7.4–8.0.
Being aggressive and territorial, two or more flowerhorns are usually not kept together, but the tank housing them can be divided up with acrylic dividers or egg crates. They are indeed a very colourful and one of the, if not the MOST playful fish in the hobby. Also, they are one of the HARDIEST fishes in the fishkeeping hobby, making them more popular. The Chinese believe that keeping the Luo Han or Flowerhorn fish in their home would bring them good luck.
Flowerhorns are usually divided in the following breeds:
RED DRAGON FLOWERHORNS
ZHEN ZHOU RED DRAGON: These fish are the MOST popular breed of Flowerhorns. They have slightly longer lower lips and slightly protruding eyes. They are well known for their bright BLOOD red colours and dazzling pearlings all over the body.
GOLDEN BASE FADERS
Faders are called by that name because during the juvenile period of life they lose their color and go completely black. As the fading process continues, the black "fades" away, leaving a more vibrant and beautiful color, usually yellow or red. They are also referred to as golden base.
Their colour transformation is truly one AMAZING process. They are a true Ugly Duckling who transform into the Beautiful SWAN.
Their colour transformation is truly one AMAZING process. They are a true Ugly Duckling who transform into the Beautiful SWAN.
KAMFA
This breed originated from the Luohan. Its main characteristics are white or yellow eyes, a wrap tail, deep sunken eyes and smaller lips than the Zhen Zhu. This breed generally also has a larger and more square body than that of the Zhen Zhu.They also mature slowly than the Zhen Zhus. A Kamfa can take as long as 18 - 24 months to fully mature and show adult colouration. But, it is WORTH the wait, trust me.
INDOMALAU
These were created by the Indonesian Luohan Club (ILC). The strain is characterized by extensive pearling all over the body, face, and head. What distinguishes an IndoMalau's pearls from that of a Zhen Zhu or a King Kamfa is that they are extremely fine. As the fish ages, the pearls become more intricately woven and thinner. Flowerlines vary dramatically; some only have a few flower spots. Most ILC IndoMalaus will include some singular flowers on the back line or "top row." The front half of the fish, from the pectoral fins forwards, is red. The back half is a golden gradient intensifying in color towards the tail. The body is very wide and high, a throwback to the original Luohan. There is a very pronounced chin or "gobbler." The head is usually forward-protruding. The tail is fan-shaped, close to that of a Kamfa.
TAN KING
This strain was created by Mr. Tan of Vietnam, by crossing a Zhen Zhu with a Kamfa. It has pearls and a flowerline like a King Kamfa, but the body and fins are more closely related to the Zhen Zhu. Most have protruding eyes and a more rounded tail like a Zhen Zhu.
Blood Red Parrot Fish
The blood red parrot cichlid (also known as parrot cichlid and blood parrot) is a hybrid of the midas and the redhead cichlid. It is created by crossing the above two fish. It was first created in Taiwan, as early as 1986.
The fish has a characteristic "beak like" mouth and comes in popular colors of Red and also yellow. Although in comes in more colors like purple and green, it is not humane to buy them, because those colors are dyed in to the fish.
The males are usually infertile, but there have been isolated exceptions.
Parrot fish are relatively easy to care for. However, they should never be housed with aggressive cichlids.
Due to its beak like mouth, it is seldom able to defend itself from attackers.
The blood red parrot cichlid (also known as parrot cichlid and blood parrot) is a hybrid of the midas and the redhead cichlid. It is created by crossing the above two fish. It was first created in Taiwan, as early as 1986.
The fish has a characteristic "beak like" mouth and comes in popular colors of Red and also yellow. Although in comes in more colors like purple and green, it is not humane to buy them, because those colors are dyed in to the fish.
The males are usually infertile, but there have been isolated exceptions.
Parrot fish are relatively easy to care for. However, they should never be housed with aggressive cichlids.
Due to its beak like mouth, it is seldom able to defend itself from attackers.