Flowerhorn

[blurrae]

Hey everyone, I'm about to get a red dragon flowerhorn from my LFS, what is the best advice that anyone can give me before I actually put him into my tank?

(Before anyone asks, he will be put into a 55 gallon tank and I will try my absolute best to make sure the water is completely safe for him)

 

[Wills]

Hi Flowerhorns are getting really popular at the moment

Is the tank cycled? Has it had fish in before or have you been doing a fishless cycle with ammonia?

Wills

 

[blurrae]

I'm fairly sure that it has cycled, but it has had fish in it before and I don't know if that changes anything.

Edit: Holy..I didn't know that you had to do all this stuff with plants and everything. I've just been letting the filters run and everything and since it had fish in it before I assumed all the good bacteria was already in there. Thats what I did with some of my old fish and they all lived very happy and long lives. My bad. Please explain this to me lol

 

[HoldenOn]

is it the same filter? how long ago did you have use the filter with fish in the tank?

 

[blurrae]

is it the same filter? how long ago did you have use the filter with fish in the tank?

It's the same filter that the previous owner was using, I have no idea what kind of fish he was keeping in there, but he said that he sold them 6 months to 1 year ago. The tank that I mentioned I sold a few years ago. While we're on the topic though and since I still have time; what are the best accessories that I should get for my tank for a flowerhorn?

 

[HoldenOn]

Nothing. It's recommended to have a flowerhorn in an empty tank. They are clumsy eaters and can ingest sand and gravel. Also in reference to your filter, looks like you have about another month till you can get your fish, sorry for the bad news.

Cycling Your New Fresh Water Tank: Read This First!

Cycling Your First Fresh Water Tank What is Cycling and Why is it Important? Fish waste, and especially fish breathing, plus uneaten food and other organic matter breaking down in a tank all produce Ammonia. This can quickly become toxic to fish if it is allowed to build up to any measurable...

www.fishforums.net

That link has everything you need to know about cycling a tank.

 

[blurrae]

Nothing. It's recommended to have a flowerhorn in an empty tank. They are clumsy eaters and can ingest sand and gravel. Also in reference to your filter, looks like you have about another month till you can get your fish, sorry for the bad news.

Cycling Your New Fresh Water Tank: Read This First!

Cycling Your First Fresh Water Tank What is Cycling and Why is it Important? Fish waste, and especially fish breathing, plus uneaten food and other organic matter breaking down in a tank all produce Ammonia. This can quickly become toxic to fish if it is allowed to build up to any measurable...

www.fishforums.net

That link has everything you need to know about cycling a tank.

Okay, I'll do that even though it takes forever and I'm super impatient. But I'd rather wait then spend $200-300 on a fish then have it die or something though so thanks for your help. Anything else I should know other than cycling?

 

[HoldenOn]

Okay, I'll do that even though it takes forever and I'm super impatient. I'd rather wait then spend $200-300 on a fish then have it die or something though so thanks for your help. Anything else I should know other than cycling?

First off yea I feel you on waiting a century for your tank to cycle, but like you said, better get the tank and filter ready and not lose 200$ and a beautiful fish to impatience. You should get the API Freshwater Master Test Kit, will really help with cycling. Do you know your water parameters (pH and general hardness, you can find them by looking up your cities water quality) could help us determine some stuff about stocking. Other then that there shouldn't be much else, if I missed anything, more members will fill you in. GL bud!

 

[blurrae]

First off yea I feel you on waiting a century for your tank to cycle, but like you said, better get the tank and filter ready and not lose 200$ and a beautiful fish to impatience. You should get the API Freshwater Master Test Kit, will really help with cycling. Do you know your water parameters (pH and general hardness, you can find them by looking up your cities water quality) could help us determine some stuff about stocking. Other then that there shouldn't be much else, if I missed anything, more members will fill you in. GL bud!

The PH is 7.5, the total hardness is 270. Also thanks a lot for your help, glad I came on here before putting him in lol

 

[HoldenOn]

The PH is 7.5, the total hardness is 270. Also thanks a lot for your help, glad I came on here before putting him in lol

Seriously, would have SUCKED if you put him in. Would probably have to do daily 80% water changes for like a month and a half. That should be fine if the water stays stable. @Wills will have to take it from here, I know nothing about flowerhorn care.

 

[blurrae]

Seriously, would have SUCKED if you put him in. Would probably have to do daily 80% water changes for like a month and a half. That should be fine if the water stays stable. @Wills will have to take it from here, I know nothing about flowerhorn care.

Ahhh okay really glad I came here then. Guess I have to wait forever but hopefully it'll be worth it with such a cool fish thanks for your help

 

[HoldenOn]

For sure. We are here to teach and learn

 

[FishGuest5123]

Get some Tetra Safe Start+ to jump start your cycle. It’ s bottled bacteria and will cut some time off of your wait. Don’t use Seachem Prime for first 24 hours after adding the Safe Start as it will destroy the bacteria. Do use another de-chlorinator though.

 

[blurrae]

Thank you!

 

[Oscar 907]

I will tell you from personal experience. Flowerhorns are awesome. But, a 55 gal tank I don't believe is big enough. I bought one years ago. I didn't know anything about them. Store tried to sell me multiple lol. At that time I played about 50 bucks for it. Also got a red devil cichlid at the same store. No worries he said, they will get along fine. I got home and put them both into a 55gal I had a clown knife fish in. All were juvenile so it went well for a short time. Knife fish started getting beat up. Rehome it and then the devil as he became the only and next logical target. And eventually he outgrew his 55 and moved to his final home a 90 gal all to himself. We affectionately called him bubba. Because that's exactly who he was to any tank mates he ever had lol. With that said. I did place a 14 inch long pleco into his tank when it was far too big for the 55. Bubba would try to mess with him but couldn't get through his tough skin. One day the pleco stabbed bubba in the side leaving a nasty scar. Bubba and the pleco had an understanding since then. Moral of the story. They are monsters and a 55 may not be enough longterm. I would suggest at least 75 gallons. Just personal opinion.