One of the first questions that any new Flowerhorn owner will ask is "what does this thing eat?" The answer to that question may not be as simple as one might hope as there are many different factors that go into choosing a correct diet for your Flowerhorn. Many Flowerhorn owners desire their fish having bright vibrant colors as well as a large kok or nuchal bump. Factors such as environment, choice of food, and genetics all affect the growth and development of the Flowerhorn.
The environment in which the Flowerhorn is raised is as important as anything you feed it. A fish that is uncomfortable or stressed will not develop the way it would under normal conditions. It is very important to keep the Flowerhorn in a large tank so that it will have space to swim around, as this is a very active fish. If you plan on keeping more than one Flowerhorn in the same tank it would be best to have it partitioned as Flowerhorns are very territorial. Also having some decorations in the tank along with a layer of gravel will help it feel more at ease. Also as with any fish, regular cleaning of the tank is a must since it gets rid of waste and floating food particles.
The diet of the Flowerhorn can have the ability to change the way the fish develops, and this is the area most Flowerhorn owners are most interested. Flowerhorns have a voracious appetite when healthy and thus do not need a lot of coaxing in order to get them to eat. There are many forms of pellets in the market that aim to increase the kok size and develop more vibrant colors. However, it is advisable to stay away from pellets that contain an abundant amount of color enhancers as the chemicals in the food will have an adverse effect on the health of your fish. Foods high in protein will aid in the growth of the kok. Some owners prefer to feed their Flowerhorn food such as heartworm, shrimp, or blood worms. Live foods may rejuvenate the appetite of a Flowerhorn but are not necessary for the development of the Flowerhorn especially with effectiveness of commercial pellets. While there is no one correct way to feed a Flowerhorn, a variety of different types of food may be advisable for beginners.
Feeding your Flowerhorn a daily diet of live food can be costly, I would recommend feeding them commercial pellets as well. These pellets are specially made for flowerhorns, they are made with the proper amounts of protein and vitamins to help support proper growth. Some products that I have used in the past are the New Life Spectrum and the chingmix products. These are both great products to feed your flowerhorn, and I have seen great results with my own fish. New Life Spectrum might be more suitable for your fries because these are much smaller, but you can feed the chingmix as well after they have been crushed.
Genetics play a part in the development of a Flowerhorn as well. While the tips mentioned above may aid in the desired course of development for a Flowerhorn they are not guaranteed. The genetic make-up of one's specific fish is important as well. There are a lot of different cross breeds of Flowerhorns and thus the development of each strain will differ from the next.
In summary, the Flowerhorn is not a particularly difficult fish to raise and not one factor can determine how the fish will develop. However, following the said tips will ensure that your Flowerhorn stays healthy and offers it the greatest chance to develop the kok and vibrant colors that many owners look for.
