Flowerhorn Cichlid Care Guide: Tank, Food, and Setup

Flowerhorn cichlids are bold, smart, and full of personality. They also grow big, eat a lot, and do not share well. This guide covers what a new owner needs to know before bringing one home: tank size, water, food, and what to expect from their behavior.

What Is a Flowerhorn Cichlid?

A flowerhorn is a hybrid cichlid bred for bright color, bold patterns, and the large bump on the forehead called the kok. They are often called "pet fish" because many learn to recognize their owner and beg for food at the glass.

Popular types include Super Red Dragon (SRD), Kamfa, and Big Kok flowerhorns.

Flowerhorn Tank Size

Do not buy a small tank. Flowerhorns grow fast and produce a lot of waste.

• Juvenile (up to about 4 inches): a 20 to 40 gallon tank works for a short time.
• Adult: plan for a 75 gallon tank at minimum. Bigger is better.
• Use a tight lid. Flowerhorns can jump.

One Flowerhorn Per Tank

Flowerhorns are aggressive and territorial. Keep one fish per tank. Housing two together usually ends in injuries or death. If you want several flowerhorns, give each one its own tank, which is how we keep ours.

Water Conditions

• Temperature: 78 to 84°F
• pH: 7.0 to 8.0
• Ammonia and nitrite: 0 ppm
• Nitrate: as low as you can keep it, under 40 ppm

Flowerhorns eat heavily, so they need strong filtration. Use a large canister filter or a sump. Do 30 to 50 percent water changes every week. If your tank is new, read our guide on how to cycle a fish tank first.

What to Feed a Flowerhorn

A high-protein cichlid pellet should be the base of the diet. Our premium fish food collection has options. You can add variety with:

• Frozen bloodworms or krill
• Shrimp
• Occasional live food

Feed small portions two times a day. Flowerhorns will beg for more, but overfeeding fouls the water and causes digestive problems.

Tank Setup and Decor

• Smooth decor only. Rough rock can scrape the head.
• Sand or bare bottom. Flowerhorns like to dig and move things around.
• Protect your equipment. A flowerhorn can knock over a heater. Use a heater guard.
• Few plants. Live plants usually get uprooted.

Common Flowerhorn Health Problems

• Hole in the head: Often tied to poor water quality or a weak diet.
• Bloat: Usually from overfeeding or low quality food.
• Stress color loss: Dull color can come from a bad move, low water quality, or being too cold.

Most problems start with the water. Test it weekly.

Frequently Asked Questions

How big do flowerhorns get?

Most adults reach 10 to 12 inches.

Are flowerhorns good for beginners?

They can be, if you are ready for a big tank, strong filtration, and a one-fish setup.

Can flowerhorns live with other fish?

Not safely. Even large tank mates tend to be attacked over time.

How long do flowerhorns live?

With good care, 8 to 10 years.

Shop Flowerhorns at Garage Aquatics

We offer a rotating selection of flowerhorn cichlids. Each fish is photographed individually so you see exactly what you are buying. Check our live fish shipping guide to see how we ship from San Diego, CA.