Am i feeding too much?

[FINWIN]

for goodness sake, get that cutie some substrate, log, plants etc...

 

[4D3]

for goodness sake, get that cutie some substrate, log, plants etc...

Flowerhorn are pretty much always bare tank, they are super aggressive, the move and dig substrate, i have seen videos of flowerhorn spitting sand into the filter inlet to get rid of it!

Also :

There are several reasons why many if not most FH keepers have bare bottom set-ups:
1) FH's eat a lot and produce a lot of waste. When that waste is in full view as it is on a bare bottom, you feel more inclined to take it out right then and there (I like to use battery operated vacuum cleaners for a quick zap of the waste) rather then let it go into your filters or get hidden in substrate or under decor, where it will ramp up your nitrate levels.

2) No/little decor means less chance for your fish to accidentally injure itself (esp. if it has a big hump). Many FH's can be active, aggressive/territorial so it's simply a preventative measure (I also wrap yoga mat around center bracing in case they jump and hit their heads).

3) Also with such tanks the visual focus is on the beautiful fish rather than decorations etc.

All of that said I personally like to ensure my FH's have always had some kind of shelter they can go to relax or sleep in, just make sure whatever you use doesn't have sharp edges or something that could scratch/injure your fish. I also like to put in a few rocks for him to move around and play with for some simulation.

View attachment 1396872

At then end of the day it comes down to personal preference though -- with proper tank size, water maintenance and parameters plus good feeding habits your FH can thrive in either environment.

From here: https://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/threads/flowerhorn-empty-tank.724298/

Better explaining than me!

Can I ask, do you actually own this type of fish or are you just commenting because you think I am being cruel to my fish?

If the latter, this fish has the most insane unnecessary setup for this fish....consisting of:
-FX2 full of marine pure gems fed with septibac
-500ml carbon
-500ml purigen
-FX-Uvc Clarifier
-8W UV Steriliser
-1000w Hygger Dual Titanium Heater
-Eheim Skim 350
-1000Lph Wave Maker....

He is fed by timer with 3 different foods, XO Humpy Head, Hikari Gold Floaters & Hikari Gold Sinkers (mixed in 1 feed) and finishing the day with Tetta Bits Bug Bites.....

So I am pretty sure this fish is maintained and fed far far better than most fish.

Also bare bottom tanks just make sense, even in my 1000L mixed cichlid tank (20+ 20-30cm American) , to stop in tank violence you don't have substrate or ornaments so the fish can't claim them or claim a patch of sand and they just float around all happy eating well and interacting, i even give them golf balls and ping pong balls to play with and they happily push them around the tank!

Also no detritus, no gravel vaccing, less prone to diseases, if a disease does get in it is far far easier and faster to treat the issue, and i my opinion it looks nicer!

I hope that clarified your concerns.

Regards

4D3

 

[Backfromthedead]

If you're concerned with him moving sand around, how are you not concerned with him "playing" with all that exposed wiring and equipment? My old flowerhorn would have electrocuted himself quickly in there.

 

[4D3]

If you're concerned with him moving sand around, how are you not concerned with him "playing" with all that exposed wiring and equipment? My old flowerhorn would have electrocuted himself quickly in there.

Nah, they are only interesting in things that move..... That they can pick up and bump elsewhere, or things they can push around.

Things that are fixed they pay no interest to.

They are fantastic fish!