Breeding Flowerhorn Part 4 – Spawning
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We went over breeding tank set up previously, we will now go over getting a Flowerhorn pair.
The secrets to getting Flowerhorn to pair off and spawn are pretty much the same as other Cichlids. Once they go into pre spawning activities, the bullying will decrease, but very rough mating will start.
The most effective technique that works the best can be hard for many aquarist to do, because it goes against everything we try to accomplish with our aquariums. But with that said, it works and does not hurt your Flowerhorn in the long run.
The best way to get a pair of Flowerhorn to spawn is to let their aquarium conditions deteriorate and become very poor for about one to two weeks. This should include, taking the filter pads out of the filters and running them without the pads (they need to run to keep the water circulating), letting some algae build up in the aquarium and letting the water level of the aquarium get low, to about 3/4 full. Please make sure that you leave aeration in the tank so the water does not become oxygen deficient. We also recommend that you feed them around ½ the normal amount during this time. Once the conditions in the aquarium have deteriorated to the point where it is becoming stressful to the Flowerhorn, do a complete water change and cleaning of the tank. Typically, most pairs will spawn within a few days (often within hours) of the completion of the cleaning.
Other techniques are:
• Change the water temperature to 72 degrees for a few days and then slowely bring it up to 82 degrees over about 12 hours and then leave it at 82 degrees for the remainder of a week.
• Feed them heavily for a few days, then stop feeding them for two days, followed by feeding them live food for three days.
• Leave the tank dark for two full days and then turn the lights on for a full day.
