Flowerhorn cichlid

Flowerhorn cichlids are ornamental aquarium fish noted for their vivid colors and the distinctively shaped heads for which they are named.

][unreliable source] Taiwanese and Malaysian peoples admired fish with protruding heads, known as 'kaloi' or 'warships', found in the western part of the nation.

The slightly protruding forehead and long tail of cichlids were prized in Taiwanese society as bringing luck in geomancy.

[dubious – discuss][citation needed] When luohans were first imported to the US, there were only two varieties of these fish for distribution: the flowerhorn and the golden base.

Although it is hard for the US to compete with Asia's well established flowerhorn breeding farms, strains with unique genetics have been created.

Flowerhorn breeding resulted in culling of surplus and deformed fish, some of which were dumped in the wild in Malaysia and Singapore, where they survived and disrupted riverine and pond ecosystems.

Hobbyists have to wait until 8–10 months for a male fish to reach sexual maturity then pair it with a female to test fertility.

[2] Other issues regarding flowerhorns is that of some hybrids being sold with tattoos, which some people consider unethical, as well as the use of hormones which have been used to enhance the colors of African haplochromines.