Flowerhorn or Red Terror

[indivicous]

So recently I've been looking at getting a big cichlid for my new tank. and my lfs has amassivered terror and a decent sized flowerhorn, for the same price. however one of the employees told me that they'd take $20 off the red terror if I bought him since he's in a really small tank and they all feel bad for him. The problem is, a flowerhorn is the whole reason I got a tank in the first place, so I kinda got deadset on one of those. The flowerhorn they have there is a male so he'll probably get a hump, however rn he doesn't really have one. hopefully it would grow if he got into a bigger tank. I like them both equally, so it's been making it extremely hard to pick one. I've been thinking about this for over a week now. Any suggestions?

 

[HoldenOn]

So recently I've been looking at getting a big cichlid for my new tank. and my lfs had a massive red terror and a decent sized flowerhorn, for the same price. however one of the employees told me that they'd take $20 off the red terror if I bought him since he's in a really small tank and they all feel bad for him. The problem is, a flowerhorn is the whole reason I got a tank in the first place, so I kinda got deadset on one of those. The flowerhorn they have there is a male so he'll probably get a hump, however rn he doesn't really have one. hopefully it would grow if he got into a bigger tank. I like them both equally, so it's been making it extremely hard to pick one. I've been thinking about this for over a week now. Any suggestions?

How big is the tank? You realize these both (especially the flowerhorn) need to have no tankmates. They both are beautiful but I would personally go with the one you feel more comfortable keeping. Research their temperature needs, their water parameters, their selection of food, etc. and once you have all these things locked down, the fish will have practically chosen itself. On that note flowerhorn for the WIN! (The hump will grow if the fish is happy!)

 

[indivicous]

How big is the tank? You realize these both (especially the flowerhorn) need to have no tankmates. They both are beautiful but I would personally go with the one you feel more comfortable keeping. Research their temperature needs, their water parameters, their selection of food, etc. and once you have all these things locked down, the fish will have practically chosen itself. On that note flowerhorn for the WIN! (The hump will grow if the fish is happy!)

The tank is 55 gallons, which I'm pretty sure is good enough for a cichlid right? Also yes, I'm aware that they can't have tankmates. The tank is empty atm. I have a good idea on what a flowerhorn needs since I did some research on him before I got my tank. Also wait the hump will just grow if he's happy? It's not all genetics?

 

[HoldenOn]

It is in part genetics, but it will grow with age and the amount of hormones released. The hormones that the flowerhorn releases when happy and not stressed will cause it to grow in size. Also the tank size should be fine. Just realize these fish can have some hefty bio-loads. I would recommend a completely empty tank for the flowerhorn because they are very clumsy eaters and can swallow gravel and sand. They will also destroy plants. I don't know much about the red terror.

 

[indivicous]

It is in part genetics, but it will grow with age and the amount of hormones released. The hormones that the flowerhorn releases when happy and not stressed will cause it to grow in size. Also the tank size should be fine. Just realize these fish can have some hefty bio-loads. I would recommend a completely empty tank for the flowerhorn because they are very clumsy eaters and can swallow gravel and sand. They will also destroy plants. I don't know much about the red terror.

Ah okay. This flowerhorn just makes me nervous because he's for some reason really cheap. Like $100. Makes me afraid somethings wrong with him that the store isn't telling me. He's only around 5 inches, so he can't be extremely old. Plus the store doesn't know how old he is either.

 

[HoldenOn]

Ah okay. This flowerhorn just makes me nervous because he's for some reason really cheap. Like $100. Makes me afraid somethings wrong with him that the store isn't telling me. He's only around 5 inches, so he can't be extremely old. Plus the store doesn't know how old he is either.

Could be that he just isn't a rare breed. Do you know the scientific name? That does seem a little cheap, but it could be that he's cheap because of a lack of hump and aa unknown age. You sure they got the sexing right?

 

[indivicous]

Could be that he just isn't a rare breed. Do you know the scientific name? That does seem a little cheap, but it could be that he's cheap because of a lack of hump and aa unknown age. You sure they got the sexing right?

I don't know the scientific name and neither does the store. I can send you a picture here if you want tomorrow as well. I asked one of the employees and she said he was a male. For a while I thought he was a female since the lack of the hump when he's already 4-5 inches, but maybe there are more ways to identify a female than I know of. As far as I know atm he is a male, but I could be wrong.

 

[utahfish]

I don't know the scientific name and neither does the store. I can send you a picture here if you want tomorrow as well. I asked one of the employees and she said he was a male. For a while I thought he was a female since the lack of the hump when he's already 4-5 inches, but maybe there are more ways to identify a female than I know of. As far as I know atm he is a male, but I could be wrong.

Flowerhorn needs at least a 70 gallon. Seeing as you have a 55 id go with the red terror.

 

[HoldenOn]

Flowerhorn needs at least a 70 gallon. Seeing as you have a 55 id go with the red terror.

They do fine in a 50 minimum unless I'm crazy.
Edit: Probably am, but @Wills can they do well in a 55?

 

[utahfish]

Flowerhorn needs at least a 70 gallon. Seeing as you have 55 no go.

 

[HoldenOn]

I don't know the scientific name and neither does the store. I can send you a picture here if you want tomorrow as well. I asked one of the employees and she said he was a male. For a while I thought he was a female since the lack of the hump when he's already 4-5 inches, but maybe there are more ways to identify a female than I know of. As far as I know atm he is a male, but I could be wrong.

Yea they have vents that can be used for sexing.

 

[utahfish]

They do fine in a 50 minimum unless I'm crazy.

All ive read flowerhorn need at least 70.
And i misspoke on red terror as they need about 100 gallon for 1

 

[indivicous]

Flowerhorn needs at least a 70 gallon. Seeing as you have a 55 id go with the red terror.

Are you sure? Literally everyone I've talked to said at a minimum 55 gallon. Even Foo the Flowerhorn on youtube has his flowerhorn in a 50 gallon, and that guy knows an insane amount of the stuff.

 

[HoldenOn]

All ive read flowerhorn need at least 70.
And i misspoke on red terror as they need about 100 gallon for 1

Huh, I thought flowerhorns were good in a 50+ and red terrors need a 75+.

 

[HoldenOn]

I don't know the scientific name and neither does the store. I can send you a picture here if you want tomorrow as well. I asked one of the employees and she said he was a male. For a while I thought he was a female since the lack of the hump when he's already 4-5 inches, but maybe there are more ways to identify a female than I know of. As far as I know atm he is a male, but I could be wrong.

Yea get as many pictures as possible. Also try and get a clear photo of the underbelly of the fish. I'm like 99% sure whoever can sex the fish will need that picture.