Are you wondering how to know the breed of the Flowerhorn? Well, it all depends on the features, appearance, and behavior they show. How Do I Identify My Flowerhorn?
There are many ways to identify the Flowerhorns. We can identify them through their appearances, behaviors, unique features, colors, and others. There are many strains and varieties of Flowerhorns. You might even not know about every type of Flowerhorn. There may be a lot of similarities between a group of Flowerhorn strains as well.
Flowerhorns are brightly colored fish and can be found in a variety of colors. The colors include red, grey, blue, and other colors with pearls on their body.
So, how can you identify them? Firstly, you may not need to know about each kind of Flowerhorn. If you are a hobbyist or aquarist, some popular strains of Flowerhorn that are famous among every Flowerhorn enthusiast are explained below.
Equipment List That Might Help You Choose For Flowerhorn Tank
| Types of equipment | Features | Link to amazon |
| SeaClear Acrylic Combo Aquarium |
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| Flipper Ollie & Hutch Wildwood 55 Gallon, Rustic Gray Aquarium Stand |
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| EHEIM NORTH AMERICA – JAGER HEATER 150W |
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EHEIM NORTH AMERICA – JAGER HEATER 150W |
| Marineland Penguin 350 BIO-Wheel Power Filter |
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| Penn Plax Aquarium Cascade Canister Filter |
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| Imagitarium 50-Gallon Terrarium Screen |
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| MingDak LED Aquarium Plant Light |
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| TEEMO Aquarium Groot Air Bubbler Decorations |
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| Penn-Plax Reptology Shale Step Ledge for Aquariums & Terrariums |
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Identifying A Kamfa Flowerhorn
The Kamfa Flowerhorn is a breed that originated from the “Luohans.” Their body shape is what makes them unique. The body structure of Kamfa is square-shaped compared to other breeds.
The size of this breed varies from 6 inches to 16 inches at the most and can survive at most for 12 years.
The two parameters help tell the Flowerhorn to be a Kamfa.
- A square-shaped body
- Round-shaped lips
Kamfas either have white, yellow, or orange eyes, which determines their fertility rate. Some have red eyes too. White eyes determine infertility. On the other hand, red or yellow eyes determine a high rate of fertility.
The Kamfas have such strong dorsal and anal fins that they can even wrap around their caudal fin.
The color of the nuchal hump is not as bright and prominent as that of other Flowerhorns. The head of a Kamfa has only one color, i.e., light color.
Another distinguishable feature of the Kamfa Flowerhorn is the red lines below its gills.
Distinguishing King Kamfa from Kamfa Flowerhorn
King Kamfa Flowerhorn has an intense black-colored flower row. King Kamfa also has a white pearling that is absent in the Kamfa. Moreover, King Kamfas is known to be one of the expensive Flowerhorn breeds.
King Kamfas can also have a size of 16 inches, which is considered one of the largest Flowerhorn strains. They also have a longer body.
Distinguishing Kamfa Malau From Kamfa Flowerhorn
Kamfa Malau Flowerhorn originated as crossbreed of Kamfa and Malau fish. Body structure resembles that of Kamfa Flowerhorn. But, the pearling in them appears to be very bright and glossy. The bright pattern in Kamfa Malau also extends onto their forehead.
However, their growth is slower than other strains, as Malau fish has the slowest development.
The head of the Malau fish is significant yet not colorful.
Identifying A Golden Monkey Flowerhorn
This is an original Luohan. It looks nothing like a monkey, as the name says. Rather it is super vibrant and colorful. This fish is not called “golden” for no reason.
This breed has a muscular body with thick chins. You can see the vibrant yellow and red color across the body. While at the juvenile stage, Golden Monkey Flowerhorn looks drab with silver and brown linings.
Gradually, silver and red patterns are developed in the upper half of their body, reaching the adult stage. They have white, black, and golden mottling. Few of them may also have a green mottling.
Their body has hints of red and red-colored fins. This fish can reach up to 15 inches and require plenty of space with hiding spots.
Distinguishing Golden Monkey And Golden Base Flowerhorn
Golden Base Flowerhorns can be mistaken for Golden Monkey Flowerhorns.
The main difference between these two strains is that the Golden Base Flowerhorn may lose color and turn black color during its adolescence before its adult color appears. So, the Golden Base Flowerhorns are also known as “Faders”.
Identifying A Thai Silk Flowerhorn
Thai Silk Flowerhorn is a comparatively new strain of Flowerhorn. Thai Silk is also known as Titanium Flowerhorn as its body is covered with metallic scales.
They have a titanium-coated-like appearance all over their body and are sometimes called Titanium Flowerhorn due to their metallic blue or white color with white patterning.
They are medium-sized fish that grows around 8-12 inches. This fish is more aggressive towards other Flowerhorn species. The lifespan of the Thai Silk Flowerhorn is less compared to other Flowerhorn cichlids.
This fish is a smaller strain of Flowerhorn and an ideal type for those who love keeping smaller strains.
They are thought to be a crossbreed of the White Tiger and the Vieja Flowerhorns. However, the origin of Thai Silk is still ambiguous.
Identifying The Super Red Dragon Flowerhorn
Super Red Dragon is a naturally bred Flowerhorn that is native to Thailand. As the name “Super Red Dragon,” this breed of Flowerhorn has a bright red coloration.
As the name, Super Red Dragon has a bright red-colored body. It has a protruding nuchal hump on which black flowers sometimes appear. This gives them an exemplary look. It has a bold black marking for which they are bred.
They have red and yellow colored eyes. Along with this, their teeth are tiny and sharp. Beneath the chin, you can find a Churchillian fold. It has almost a round tail.
They also swim slower as compared to smaller fishes due to their stocky body structure.
Distinguishing Red Dragon and Super Red Dragon Flowerhorn
The body shape and structure of both the Flowerhorns are similar. We can tell the difference by the intensity of redness they have.
Super Red Dragons are intensely red from their head to almost their tail. Some Super Red Dragon Flowerhorns have full red-colored bodies.
Red Dragon Flowerhorn only has redness from its head to only up to its fins. Its body color will change to yellowish color. Hence, its head is red, and its body is pale in color. Paleness is more defined when it reaches its adult stage.
Red Dragon Flowerhorns have pointed faces and sunken eyes. It has a water drop body shape. These are the traits of a Red Dragon Flowerhorn.
Identifying A Zhen Zhu Flowerhorn
This breed of Flowerhorn is most popular among fish-keepers nowadays. Because of this, Zhen Zhu Flowerhorns are probably the hardest type available. This fish is popular mostly due to the pearling line.
Zhen Zhu has a larger mouth and a rounded tail. It has a longer and tapering body structure.
Many hobbyists like Zhen Zhu Flowerhorn because they are easy to groom. When they are fry of 2-3 weeks, you can see a hump forming in their head.
Most of them have dotted or worm patterns. Unlike Kamfa Flowerhorn, they have thick pearl.
You can notice that the Zhen Zhu Flowerhorns have a bloated stomach which is very common for them to have. This is the reason why you should look at their diet properly.
This breed usually grows up to 14 inches in length, and its expected life is above 10 years if proper care is given.
The main characteristic that makes Zhen Zhu Flowerhorns special is the pearling factor. You can easily recognize them from other Flowerhorn breeds through their shimmering details. However, they have a weak tail which often has a high risk of getting carried.
Distinguishing Kamfa And Zhen Zhu Flowerhorn
Comparing this breed with the Kamfa, it has a rounded tail. The hump is also distinctively enlarged than the Kamfas. Zhen Zhu Flowerhorns have eyes protruded outside, while the Kamfas have sunken eyes.
Identifying King Kong Parrot Flowerhorn
King Kong Parrot Flowerhons is one of the original Flowerhorns. They have vibrant red colors all over their body.
They can have a total body length of 15 inches. Furthermore, they have longer heads than their body.
Provided with an adequate diet and environment, they can live at least 12 years.
Distinguishing King Kong Parrot and Blood Parrot Flowerhorn
King Kong Parrot has a longer body size and consists of reddish-orange body color. While Blood Parrot Flowerhorns have a bigger head with more protruding eyes and a V-shaped mouth. Their dorsal fins are also shorter than their anal fins.
Identifying Red Pearl Super Red Dragon Flowerhorn
Red Pearl Super Red Dragon Flowerhorns are the new generation of Super Red Dragon Flowerhorn.
They have a lot of pearls in their body. Their body consists of white and black mottled patterns on their fins and body.
You can differentiate them from Red Dragon Flowerhorns by their pearling spots.
These strains of Flowerhorns are new. So, the information about them is very few.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How do I know if my Flowerhorn is stressed?
Flowerhorns show certain symptoms when they are stressed. When they are stressed, they hide for a longer period. You may find them scraping against the gravel. They often crash at the bottom of the tank. They also lose their appetite.
Does water change stress Flowerhorn?
Yes, water changes can stress the Flowerhorn if the proportion of changes is not appropriate.
What is a Thai Silk Flowerhorn popular for?
They have a titanium-coated-like appearance all over their body and are sometimes called Titanium Flowerhorn due to their metallic blue or white color with white patterning.
They are popular for their magnificent body color.
Conclusion
Identifying types of Flowerhorn all depends on the features your Flowerhorn has. Mostly every strain of Flowerhorns has a similar appearance. But they can be differentiated based on their color, size, hump size, body structure, patterns, and pearlings.
If you are wanting to know which breed of flowerhorn you have, you must check the features they possess.