Is there anyway to make my Flowerhorn deeper red?

[GS1981]

Is there anyway to make my Flowerhorn deeper red? Mine has got a lot duller since i have had him, I have tried feeding him all kinds of colour enchancing foods (Okiko Crystal Red etc) and frozen Krill/Prawns/Bloodworms, he also gets 50% Water changes etc and is in perfect water quality in his own 70 Gallon...

Hes also growing very slowly and has been stuck at 7" for 4 months....but he is getting fatter, this is a pic when i first got him (he was more red then)

This is a pic now 4 months on, much duller

I still love him either way, but after seeing his potential, i want it back.

 

[strollo22]

What kind of lighting on the tank?


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[GS1981]

just 2 standard t5 bulbs.

 

[strollo22]

You could try using a colormax bulb or 2. Colormax bulbs will help bring out the true colors of the fish. You could always try market shrimp/prawn with the shell on if it will eat them.

 

[Rosemead626]

yup try the shrimp w shells on or try another food.IMHO from experience okiko gives little improvements.my opinion though.try Grand Osaki Super Red pellets if you can get them

 

[skooby]

Have you tried power pink plus? My fh doesn't have any red on him but look what it did to him in 3 days notice the red tail now on the bottom pic and pinkish body now also even the eyes went from orange to dark red

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[skooby]

View attachment 936666

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[Alfredo05]

Dude lighting will have a lot to due with it

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[FHlov]

lighting only helps increase the "look", it doesn't necessarily increase the natural red. I've had a mix of low light, natural light, bright light etc with all of my flowerhorns, and it's all in the fish. The richness of red comes and goes regardless of any of these circumstances, including feeding. I did note that when a fish is actively dominant it tends to get it's best colors, which we all see in many other cichlid species. I typically place my flowerhorns in divided tanks with other fish to maintain colors. I have a fader who goes from light orange, dark orange, and pretty damn red all the time, throughout the day. I feed him the same food constantly and it's not any of those flowerhorn foods. I'm starting to think flowerhorns are more like chameleons with moods. Whatever you've seen in your fish is not gone and I'm willing to bet it has to do with dominance.

 

[the animal guy]

Colors from lighting is artificial and is NOT part of the FISH.