Flowerhorns, or technically known as Flowerhorn cichlids are those types of ornamental aquarium fish best known for its vibrant colors and the unique shapes of their heads. The trend of flowerhorn breeding was initially cultivated in Asian locations, which include Thailand, Malaysia and Taiwan, dating back from 1993.
The history of Flowerhorn fish underwent a lot of significant events that lead to the status these marine creatures have at present. They traveled places for breeding purposes and had made huge impact in the Chinese culture .
Many Malaysians found it fancy for fish to have heads that are protruding which are located in the western part of the nation. They have tagged these as Karoi, translated in English as "warships." On the other hand, people from Taiwan found out that the forehead and long tail of thes unique breed of fish is lucky for their society. This signaled the beginning of the long history of Flowerhorns.
By the year 1994, two different breeds of Flowerhorns--the red devil cichlids and the trimac cichlid--had been brought as an import from Central America all the way to Malaysia, while the hybrid blood parrot cichlid had also been brought to Malaysia from Taiwan. When these fish were bred, the very first Flowerhorn cichlids were introduced to the world.
As the years pass, the world saw different and unique crossbreedings of cichlids done from time to time. In the year 1995, the new breed that is known today as the Five-color god of fortune was the result from breeding of human face red God of Fortune with the blood parrots. The fish was able to instantly achieve fame, all because of its vibrant and unique colors. In the year 1997, the growing trend of selective breeding was unstoppable. This basically resulted to the birth of Hua Luo Han flowerhorns, the crossbreed of the Greenish Gold Tiger of Central America and Taiwan's Jin Gang Blood Parrot. Different hybrids of Flowerhorn followed and were then presented to the world.
In the United States, the flowerhorn and the goldenbase were the only breeds that were available by the time the Luo Hans was imported to the country.
Furthermore, Flowerhorns were known to come in two varieties. One is those with silver-white spots on the skin, and those do not have them. Likewise, Golden Bases were as well categorized into two: those that faded and those that did not. Of all the breeds of flowerhorns, the ones that do not have silver-white spots were instantaneously overtaken in fame by those with pearls, which later became pearl scale flowerhorns, or better known as Zhen Zhu. The unfaded ones were able to enhance an alluring golden skin in lieu of what had been the grey skin of the flowerhorn.
In the market of the United States, four varieties of flowerhorns became actually available as of 1999. These include the golden flowerhorns, the regular flowerhorns, the pearl scale flowerhorn, and lastly the faders. The trend of commercial breeding also took place. Fish were then chosen based on the external look with small consideration for terminology. In the end, the method of naming became puzzling while ancestry became very hard to trace.
Although the breeding industry of flowerhorns met a lot of criticisms along the way, it was never hindered. According to experts, the breeding system is a questionable practice as it leads to the birth of marine being with deformities.
Starting from the year 2000 to 2001, the Kamfa variety emerged. New characteristics were observed to come out from the said breed, like shorter and even smaller mouths, tails that are actually enclosed and wrapped, deep-set eyes, and even bigger head bumps. These are some of the many changes in the physical appearance of a regular flowerhorn that were apparent because of the breeding.
A fish is sometimes regarded as an emblem of huge prosperity and plentiful wealth, basing on Feng Shui practices. This eventually resulted for fishes to be extensively utilized as pets in aquariums and as models for pictures and paintings. Also, they were used as statuettes and ornaments in homes and business establishments in the hope to be a magnet for affluence and success. Feng Shui also states that a fish could salvage one's life and career from jeopardy and misfortune.
Like the flowerhorns, various species of marine creatures were incorporated in Feng Shui as source of positive energy and wealth. These include the likes of Gold Fish and Arowana. In spite of this, aquariums are recommended not to be located in particular places in the house like the kitchen and the bedroom. According to Feng Shui beliefs, positioning aquarium tanks in the wrong places of the house could lead to financial predicaments and troubles when it comes to health.
As stated earlier, a Flower horn fish is one of the many famous symbols in many Feng Shui beliefs. The breed of Flowerhorns was referred to by a number of Feng Shui experts and devotees as the Feng Shui fish of eight periods. This period starts from the year 2004 up to 2024.
Flowerhorns are known by Chinese as drawers and attractors of positive energy from the surroundings. However, most flowerhorns could be really expensive basing on the present rates. People who own this type of fish are believed to attain a very fruitful life and career. Also, they are believed to be successful in the areas of money, fame and relationships.
There are some Flowerhorns than can have a lot of colors and a forehead that has humps that protrude. Black spots and other marking are sometimes deemed as signs of wealth. There are also certain types of Flowerhorn emblems that could be situated on the northern or even southeastern part of the living room. This is believed to improve a family's financial status. It is also advised to position a flowerhorn statuette in the north because this is particularly important in getting better with one's career. On the other hand, a Flowerhorn placed in the East is subsequent to an improvement in the relationships within the family.
