Monster Fish Tank?

[cooledwhip]

Hey all, I was considering getting a flowerhorn sometime this december or basically when the snow comes in. I usually set up a lot of tanks and update/change tanks from december-april as it's very snowy where I am and it's so depressing seeing only snow. In fact it's the grey and bland nature outside during that time that got me into this planted aquarium hobby.
 
I am for sure setting up a massive planted tank, enough for a school of angels and maybe some boesemanis this winter. I might do 75-100 gallons. idk.
 
I was considering a monster fish tank (well not considering, it's GOING to happen, I just don't know when). Flowerhorn are a beautiful species. They look awesome in a tank but before commiting to the tank size and conditions I want to go through all my options for monster/big fish.
 
Arowana are my first choice, but I can't do more than 120 gallons.
 
I won't be upgrading the tank either, and it SEEMS like flowerhorn are the only tank option. 
 
Are there any other monster/big fish I can keep in a tank around 75-100 gallons?
 
I was considering a flowerhorn but I've never really seen their behavior before. My LFS don't have them in stock, (I would probably purchase direct from a breeder)
 
Also, are these interactive fish? I know with arowana you can drag your finger along the tank side and they kinda follow it. Do FH do that or do they just sit like boring fish?
I want something kinda active.
 
Also could I do tank mates? How many gallons would I need for a breeding pair? I know these guys are territorial so two regular FH would be a mistake. I would have to purchase them as a pair I'm assuming.
 
Thanks

 

[Hunterprey]

Flowerhorns are very interactive. Theyre similar to Oscars. A 75 gallon will probably be good for one. Theyre very aggressive tho. I have one in my 180gallon with Oscars and Jewels. He's breeding with my Blood Parrot. He's only about 4 inches but if he gets to aggressive later I'll move the pair to my spare 75.

Black Nasty cichlids are nice too. You can probably have a pair in a 75

 

[DomH]

You could do clown loaches but some people don't like how much food they need when they are bigger


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[cooledwhip]

Flowerhorns are very interactive. Theyre similar to Oscars. A 75 gallon will probably be good for one. Theyre very aggressive tho. I have one in my 180gallon with Oscars and Jewels. He's breeding with my Blood Parrot. He's only about 4 inches but if he gets to aggressive later I'll move the pair to my spare 75.

Black Nasty cichlids are nice too. You can probably have a pair in a 75

Breeding with your parrot?
 
Other species of cichlid can breed together?
 
I'll for sure be doing a flowerhorn.
 
So pretty. A pair would be nice though. Would I be able to do a pair in a 75?

 

[ShinySideUp]

You could do clown loaches but some people don't like how much food they need when they are bigger


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Mine do seem to want a lot more food all of a sudden.

 

[DomH]

Lmao Ik when they hit their growth spurt it seems like they need 2 as much food


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[cooledwhip]

Loaches look nice but I'll be buying a FH.
 
How much will a nice FH cost me? I've seen red dragon fh and they look really nice.
 
Also could I do a planted tank with them? Like with big plants? IK they will tear up baby tears and stuff.
 
and for a filter, I got a couple old canister filters.
 
I have a Rena Filstar XP3 (currently in use, can be swapped), Eheim 2217, and a fluval 04. Not sure on the exact fluval name, there's so many models.

 

[DomH]

I would try aquabid for flowerhorns unless you got a nice shop around you. Then can cost a lot so be prepared


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[Hunterprey]

Flowerhorns are very interactive. Theyre similar to Oscars. A 75 gallon will probably be good for one. Theyre very aggressive tho. I have one in my 180gallon with Oscars and Jewels. He's breeding with my Blood Parrot. He's only about 4 inches but if he gets to aggressive later I'll move the pair to my spare 75.
Black Nasty cichlids are nice too. You can probably have a pair in a 75

Breeding with your parrot?
 
Other species of cichlid can breed together?
 
I'll for sure be doing a flowerhorn.
 
So pretty. A pair would be nice though. Would I be able to do a pair in a 75?

I've seen one flowerhorn bred with Texas cichlid before too. IMO 75 should be fine for a pair, they usually stay in the same area when breeding but bigger will be better of course.

 

[cooledwhip]

 

 

Flowerhorns are very interactive. Theyre similar to Oscars. A 75 gallon will probably be good for one. Theyre very aggressive tho. I have one in my 180gallon with Oscars and Jewels. He's breeding with my Blood Parrot. He's only about 4 inches but if he gets to aggressive later I'll move the pair to my spare 75.
Black Nasty cichlids are nice too. You can probably have a pair in a 75

Breeding with your parrot?
 
Other species of cichlid can breed together?
 
I'll for sure be doing a flowerhorn.
 
So pretty. A pair would be nice though. Would I be able to do a pair in a 75?

I've seen one flowerhorn bred with Texas cichlid before too. IMO 75 should be fine for a pair, they usually stay in the same area when breeding but bigger will be better of course.
 


Do I have to buy them as a pair or can I buy two siblings from the same brood and breed them? Do they need to be from different broods? Do I have to buy them as a pair or will they pair off on their own?
 
I'll just do that. I'm sure having some a pair I could and might as well give a shot at breeding and just sell the fry.

 

[Hunterprey]

Some buy a few cichlids hoping a pair will form. That will be a very expensive experiment for flowerhorns LoL

Tbh I just lucked out with mine. I knew my Parrot was a female but wasn't sure about my flowerhorn. I just added the flowerhorn and the magic happened

You're better off looking for a pair and that could be a task.

 

[ChadAT]

Depending on your substrate and water flow, you could keep shovelnose catfish. They generally need about 55 gallons or larger and there's a large variety of species. Very cool fish and fun to feed!

 

[cooledwhip]

Depending on your substrate and water flow, you could keep shovelnose catfish. They generally need about 55 gallons or larger and there's a large variety of species. Very cool fish and fun to feed!

I have for sure decided on a flowerhorn.
 
For a pair, what if I just purchase two from the same family? Would they be aggressive towards eachother? And I can do two in a 75 gallon right?
 
Also, would it be possible to add like boesemani rainbows or some other tetra or something with them? Thanks

 

[james41683]

A 75 will work for one flowerhorn, if you try to keep a pair have a divider on hand in case one goes psycho over night. Usually to get a pair you buy a group and let them naturally pair, then remove the others. Here's a little more info about them

http/www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/threads/flowerhorn-info-sheets.496011/