Description

🐠 Red Copper Cichlid

📌 Basic Info

• Scientific Name: Flowerhorn hybrid variant (Red Copper)

• Family: Cichlidae

• Origin: Hybrid – selectively bred in Asia

• Size: 10 – 12 inches (25 – 30 cm)

• Lifespan: 10 – 12 years

• Tank Zone: Mid to Bottom

🌊 Water Parameters

• TDS: 120 – 200 ppm

• pH: 6.8 – 7.6

• Temperature: 25 – 30°C (77 – 86°F)

• Hardness: 6 – 15 dGH

🐟 Characteristics

• Bright copper-red body with metallic scales.

• Bold head hump (kok) depending on genetics.

• Active, intelligent, and interactive with owners.

• Territorial and aggressive – usually kept alone.

🍽️ Food

• Type: Omnivorous (protein-focused)

• Diet: Flowerhorn pellets, bloodworms, shrimp, mealworms, krill, and spirulina-based food for color.

• Feeding: 1–2 times daily in small amounts.

🛠️ Maintenance

• Tank Size: At least 75–100 gallons for a single adult.

• Weekly Water Change: 30–40%.

• Heavy filtration (they produce a lot of waste).

• Decor: Rocks and driftwood (avoid fragile items).

• Bare-bottom or sand substrate works best.

👥 Social Behavior

• Minimum Group Size: Best kept single (aggressive nature).

• Tank Mates: Only with large aggressive fish (Oscars, Jaguars, Plecos) in very large tanks.

• Avoid: Small or peaceful fish – will be bullied or eaten.

✅ Do’s

• Keep in a large, clean, filtered tank.

• Feed color-enhancing food for bright copper tones.

• Provide hiding places with rocks.

• Maintain stable warm water.

❌ Don’ts

• Don’t keep in small tanks.

• Don’t mix with weak or small fish.

• Don’t overfeed (causes digestive issues).

• Don’t use live plants – they may uproot them.

⭐ Quick Tips
The Red Copper Cichlid is a rare and stunning Flowerhorn type known for its glowing copper-red shine.
It is best kept as a showpiece fish in a large aquarium with strong care and attention