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Feng Shui and Flowerhorn

2010-06-28T05:52:00.000-07:00

History of the Flower Horn

Flower Horn Fish or Hua Luo Han which is popularly known has taken the aquatic world (particularly in the South East Asian region) by storm within the last two years. Its popularity is gaining momentum day by day, and it is set to be an internationally known fish with the likes of the discus fish and arowana.

Luo Han fish is basically from the Cichlid family, which is classified under the genus of Cichlasoma, a specie commonly found in South America. This beautiful hybrid is thought to be the end product of cross breeding between the Cichlasoma Trimaculatus, Cichlasoma Festae, Jingang Blood Parrot, and etc.. To date, a lot of better quality Luo Han have been produced resulting from the intensified eagerness of breeders to produce the best show quality fish for the market.

As was stated in some reports, the Flower Horn Fish is also known as a "mutated" breed of fish. Rest assured that this is just a claim. We would like to stress that the Flower Horn Fish has gone through a lot of selective cross breeding in order to have the best characteristics of the respective strains of the Cichlid fish family. For instance, most breeders are striving to produce Flower Horn fishes with bigger nuchal hump on the forehead, better coloration, bolder black markings on the body (which at times resemble Chinese characters), more elegant fins, and wider body. No chemicals, or bio-genetic engineering have been incorporated to improve on the traits / characteristics of the Flower Horn. Thus, the claim that this is a mutated fish is unfounded.

In addition, this fish is very hardy, and can endure water conditions that are not suitable for most breeds of aquarium fish. This is also one of the many reasons why the Flower Horn is well received by many tropical fish hobbyists. As the Flower Horn is from the South American Cichlid family, this fish is very territorial. Thus, they are very aggressive in nature. Co-existing with another fish is not advisable, (especially smaller fish). Some parties have claimed that we can "play" with the Flower Horn. In actual fact, the Flower Horn is actually trying to get rid of the "intruder" (be it a stick or a person's hand). Therefore, it is advisable that we keep our hands to ourselves as the fish has quite a nasty bite depending on the size of the fish.

Feng Shui of the Flowerhorn

The Flower Horn or Hua Luo Han has been touted as the feng shui fish for the coming period of 8 (beginning in 2004), just as the arowana had been dubbed the feng shui fish for the present period of 7 (which began in 1984). It is said to bring its owner lots of prosperity luck and good fortune in everything ranging from wealth and fame to love and happiness.

Developed through selective crossbreeding in 1996, the popularity of the Flowerhorn has been gaining momentum by the day. The origins of this hybrid fish can be traced from the Cichlid family, which is classified under the genus of cichlasoma. The Kua or trigam for the period of 8 is Ken, which among other things, symbolizes the mountain and the earth element. The Flowerhorn's most important distinguishing feature- its nuchal hump, which protrudes from its forehead - is said to simulate the mountain. This fleshy humo combined with its muscular bulk contributes to its overall squarish profile, which solidly reflects the earth element.

The previous feng shui cycle was the Period of 7, which is governed by the Kua or Trigam of Tui symbolizing Metal. The graceful arowana, with its body shaped like the blade of a sword and its pearly sheen, attests to the metallic attributes of the trigram.

Another distinctive trait of the flowerhorn would be its black coloured side markings, which develop as the fish matures. These side markings are said to resemble lucky numbers or chinese calligraphy or even arabic wordings. Well-developed adult fish with exceptional markings could well sell for hundreds of thousands of dollars. Some Flowerhorn have reddish pink side markings that are heart-shaped; these are said to bring excellent luck in love.

Currently the most popular fish among fish hobbyists and aquarium specialists, the Flowerhorn should be displayed prominently in public areas of your home or office to invite prosperity and gook luck into your lives.

Sources:
http://flowerhornking.com/FlowerHorn/

Flowerhorn Hexamita Treatment

2010-06-27T03:01:00.000-07:00

In grooming a flowerhorn sometimes we failed to see existing problems that somehow cause for our flowerhorn to be sick. One of the major illness if this type of fish that is still unclearly understood is hexa. When a fish of mine got this disease, i ask hobbyist for remedy but most failed to explain the exact thing to do. Ones idea may contradict to the other. a friend of mine said the fish will be back in its normal condition in time and others suggest to apply medications when ask what doesnt have the answer. Will lets say they offer few things but obviously those are in no relation to internal parasite treatment. I went over to the internet to check solutions. Ideas are there but grouping this idea into one is hard since others have their own unique way of the treatment process.

This article would explain the method i find effective so far as this was the method i applied for the treatment. i got this from a forum whose URL is placed at the last part of this article.

Before anything else, we might want to be sure that before proceeding with the treatment it is important to be sure that your fish is really infected with the disease (hexa). This can be check if this two (2) sympthom is found. i would consider this an absolute indicators to conclude this disease.

There are signs of long white stringy poop coming out from the fish.
A total lost of appetite.

When you feed your fish with market prawns or shrimps, sometimes the fish does excrete white poop as describe in no. 1 so you have to check for no. 2. These two (2) indicators must be confirmed. Some cases also happen when your flowerhorn loses its appetite but does show signs of white poop. The situation may be something else, like from a poor water quality or other diseases.

Before anything else we need first to know the facts about hexa. Hexa also known as hexamita is a flagellated protozoa that lives in the intestinal tract of the fish, including several species of Cichlids which are popular aquarium pets. Angel fish and discus are also effected by this serious health problem. Healthy fish do have hexamita. Due to malnutrition, shipping, and poor water quality contributes to the rapid reproduction of the protozoans resulting in disease.

The recommended treatment for hexamita is metronidazole (Flagyl) administered in a medicated food or, if the fish are not eating, in a bath treatment. Below is a method that can be done if the fish isn't capable of eating. Again this method is what i found to be effective based on actual application to my infected flowerhorn and it turns out to be effective. Other articles in the internet may also suggest similar method.

Method for 7-10 day treatment for flowerhorn infected with Hexamita.

Provide a hospital tank about 10gals. The primary purpose is for the ease of water changes to be perform daily and to save dosages for the expensive medication.
Add simple filtration like sponge filter or aeration via air stone. Heavy filtration isn't necessary since no feeding will be done thus reducing biological load and ammonia level is expected to be low.
Set the thermometer at 32C. The effectiveness of the metronidazole can be maximize at a higher temperature.
You need to add half cup of aquarium salt. In the Philippines, most hobbyist use rock salt (without iodine) as an alternative to aquarium salt.
Dissolve 500mg of metronidazole usually sold as flagyl forte in warm water (not boiling water). You can buy this on pharmacy as over the counter medicine so no need for prescription. If you think Flagyl is too expensive then ask for the generic drug. It is suppose to do the same effect unless the it is fake.
Perform a 50% water change every day, and dose it with metronidazole after every water change. Replinish about 1/4 cup of salt daily. With salt, it helps to increase the osmotic pressure in the water allowing the absorption of the metronidazole through the gills of the fish. It also helps to sooths the natural slime coat of the fish.
In the first 5 days of treatment, no food must be given. You can give it One pellet on the sixth day, if it eats its a good sign but Do Not Stop the treatment. Not yet. Only give a little amount of food up to the 10th day.
On the 11th day do a 50% water change. Slowly reduce the temperature to 28C or whatever temp you like to keep you fish. This marks the end of the treatment.
Once you are satisfied with the overall health of the fish, you can move it back to its main tank.

If you have the budget and if Azoo Anti-Endoparasite is available in your area, you can also try it. It is good for treatment and for maintenance.

Source:
Idea posted herewith was initiated by "Round Head" in a forum that can be accessed here.

Low Wattage Haiyang Submersible Pump (OHF)

2010-06-26T05:55:00.000-07:00

In providing proper filtration for a tropical fish pet (flowerhorn) aquarium, an over head filter is a must. A much more powerful filter than air driven filtration. I used to have few of Precision product installed. It works fine but when we consider the wattage of the motors, it varies from 20 to 25 watts. Considering it works 24/7, i would consider it too much for it really affect the outcome of the electricity bill. Looking for solutions, i went on to look for other brands that offers same or better quality.

I have check out this Haiyang submersible pump with 9 watts and flowrate of 980liter/hour. A better choice than what will be replaced. A simple comparison of the two would be 9 watts vs 25 watts and 980liters/hour vs 1000liters/hour. I prefer the Haiyang pump for its advantage. a difference of 16 watts is huge enough even though the flowrate came short by 20. Anyways the pump will be installed in a 50gal aquarium so its definitely enough to provide proper flowrate for the filtration process.

I only replaced the pump and still use the filter box that came along with the Precision OHF. Now when i'm looking for OHF for my aquarium, i'll be choosing Haiyang brand until i'll find a much better pump... budget and performance considered.