Flower horn cichlids are popular hybrid ornamental fish known for their vivid colors and a distinctive forehead hump called a nuchal hump. Originating from selective breeding in Southeast Asia in the late 1990s, they are highly intelligent, territorial, and aggressive, requiring a large, bare-bottomed aquarium with robust filtration and a specific diet of high-quality pellets, flakes, and occasional live or frozen foods. Flower horns can grow to a maximum size of approximately 40 cm (16 inches). They thrive in tropical freshwater, with the ideal water temperature typically ranging from 24-29°C (75-84°F). The appropriate pH level is between 6.5 and 7.8, though some sources narrow it to 6.5-7.5.
Scientific name: Vieja synspila X Heros severus