I have been talking here about Flowerhorn fishes, like, almost all of my posts mention mentions flowerhorn fishes. But I haven’t shared what really are flowerhorn fishes and why are they being cared with love by most of the fish-lovers?

Flowerhorn fishes, as it is very well-known by such name, are actually cichlids. They are ornamental fishes. Some of the distinguishing physical characteristics of flowerhorn fishes are its vivid body color and prominent heads. Their heads are named kok or ‘nuchal’ head. It grows and forms a protruding mass just above the two eyes.

Enthusiasm in breeding flowerhorn fishes date back in 1993 when a Malaysian fish lover and breeder was interested in breeding fishes having protrusions in the head. This fish was first named as Karoi. That fish was found in western nations. Cross-breeding between cichlids then followed resulting to more pronounced head protrusion and more color enhancement to resultant fish bred.

Talking about flowerhorn breeds, next post will be about the different breeds of flowerhorn fishes.