Newindpress

Udupi, Jul 28: Breeding flower horns and golden trimac, the ornamental fish which earn respect for their bull or horn like structure on their heads, is not just a hobby for Pashuraj (Appanna), who deals ornamental fishes and accessories at Fish N Fun in Ambalpady. His passion helps him earn a reasonable income along with popularity he gets from like-minded people.

According to Appanna, his craze for keeping flower horns started in this region (Udupi-Manipal) two years back with North Indian and foreign students asking for these species to enrich their tank scenery.

He said that flower horns - both gender- show a symptom of developing a bull when they are 5 to 6 months old. Only 10 percent of flower horns or golden trimac develop such quality bulls. Most females have very small or no frontal hump at all.

There are ready foods available in the market to increase head growth and shape, he adds. ‘‘The 2.5 years old bulled flower horn would earn Rs 15,000 and above. We export well grown flower horns to Bangalore, where it selling like hot cakes,’’ he said.

His father late Bhaskar Thonse, had been a breeder in Mumbai for decades and Appanna continued this as a money making hobby.

Aquarium keeping tips:

An ideal tank measuring 1.50 mtr X 0.60 mtr X 0.60 mtr offers enough space for at least one pair of Flower Horns. It is better to take a large tank including several pet fish. However, in the case of really aggressive Flower Horns, it is possible to keep only one Flower Horn. Actually, it is possible to feed these fish almost any kind of food ranging from ordinary frost feed to dry fish food except for red larvae and beef hearts. These cichlids like to feed off insects or small fish. For more details call Appanna: 98452 67385.