Flowerhorn Cichlids
Flowerhorn cichlids is a hybrid cichlid that was developed in Malaysia during the second half of the 1990: s. It was created by crossbreeding different South American cichlids. Exactly which cichlids that were used to create the Flowerhorn is a well kept secret only known by the breeders who developed the species but they did most likely crossbreed Trimacs (Amhilophous Trimaculatus) and one or several other South American cichlids like Cichlasoma Festae, Amphilophus citrinellum (midas cichlid), Amphilophus labiatum (red devil) or Vieja synspila (redheaded cichlid). Flowerhorn cichlids are unlike many other hybrids fertile and can easily be breed in aquariums. They are very easy to keep and can be kept in the same way as other cichlids from the same area. The only requirement is a large aquarium to house these big aggressive fishes in.

Luck and Feng Shui
Flowerhorn cichlids are in Asia considered to bring good luck and good Feng Shui. They are not the only fishes that are thought of in this way. The Asian Arowana is another fish that brings good fortune to its owner and that is being breed and sold at high prices in Asia. The pattern of thought behind the thought that Arowanas are bringers of good fortune can be found in the fact that they are considered to resample dragons. Dragons are powerful creatures in the Asian mythology. The foundation for the belief that Flowerhorn cichlids are bringer of good fortune can be traced to the fact that the hump that the species develop as it matures are considered to resembles the Chinese God of Longevity. If the hump grows so does the good fortune of the owner. This good fortune can affect all areas of life.

The Black marking on Flowerhorn cichlids also plays an important role in this species reputation as bringer of good fortune. These markings can sometimes create patterns that resample Chinese signs and fish that displays these patterns are considered to be the most fortune bringing of all. Examples of this are that some Flowerhorn cichlids display Chinese numbers on their sides and the owner of these fishes often play the number their Flowerhorn displays on the lottery. The reason behind this is an incident where a woman won 1 million dollars and claimed that she had the play the number her fish displayed. Another fish that is worth mentioning is a Flowerhorn cichlid that displays the Chinese sign for luck on its side and that fish is hardly surprising considered as extra lucky.

Flowerhorn cichlids has ironically enough brought bad luck for many investors that invested in Flowerhorn cichlid when the hype was at its peak and who lost a lot of money when the market plummeted to more reasonable levels.