{"product_id":"flowerhorn-cichlid-dark-star-8cm-sub-adult-male","title":"Flowerhorn Cichlid Dark Star 8cm Sub Adult Male","description":"\u003cstrong\u003eFlowerhorn Cichlid – Dark Star\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOverview:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003eDark Star Flowerhorn\u003c\/strong\u003e is a \u003cstrong\u003erare and striking strain\u003c\/strong\u003e of Flowerhorn, recognized for its \u003cstrong\u003edeep black or charcoal base coloration\u003c\/strong\u003e, often contrasted with \u003cstrong\u003eiridescent pearling or red highlights\u003c\/strong\u003e. This variety has an almost \u003cstrong\u003ecosmic look\u003c\/strong\u003e, which is how it earned the “Dark Star” name. Highly collectible, it is prized among hobbyists who want something \u003cstrong\u003edramatic and bold\u003c\/strong\u003e in their tanks.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eA selectively bred strain from \u003cstrong\u003eKamfa and Zhen Zhu lineages\u003c\/strong\u003e, developed in Southeast Asia to emphasize \u003cstrong\u003edark pigmentation and pearling\u003c\/strong\u003e while retaining the signature \u003cstrong\u003enuchal hump (kok)\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFeeding:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eStaple:\u003c\/strong\u003e High-quality Flowerhorn pellets (growth, kok, and color formulas).\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSupplements:\u003c\/strong\u003e Frozen krill, shrimp, and protein-rich live foods for kok and body mass.\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eEnhancers:\u003c\/strong\u003e Spirulina or astaxanthin-based foods to bring out red or blue undertones.\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTank Mates:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBest kept \u003cstrong\u003ealone\u003c\/strong\u003e, as aggression is \u003cstrong\u003ehigh to extreme\u003c\/strong\u003e.\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIf housed with others, require \u003cstrong\u003every large tanks with dividers\u003c\/strong\u003e.\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAggression:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eExtremely aggressive and territorial.\u003c\/strong\u003e Dark Star Flowerhorns are \u003cstrong\u003ealpha fish\u003c\/strong\u003e, dominating their environment.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eExperience Level:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAdvanced.\u003c\/strong\u003e Suited for keepers who have handled \u003cstrong\u003elarge, aggressive cichlids\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater Parameters:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTemperature: \u003cstrong\u003e78–84°F (25–29°C)\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003epH: \u003cstrong\u003e7.4–8.0\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHardness: \u003cstrong\u003e8–20 dGH\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMinimum Tank Size: \u003cstrong\u003e75+ gallons\u003c\/strong\u003e (for a single adult).\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eUnique Features:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eColoration:\u003c\/strong\u003e Deep \u003cstrong\u003eblack\/dark grey body\u003c\/strong\u003e with \u003cstrong\u003emetallic pearling\u003c\/strong\u003e, sometimes accented with \u003cstrong\u003ered or blue hues\u003c\/strong\u003e.\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHead (Kok):\u003c\/strong\u003e Large and rounded, typical of Kamfa-based strains.\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eEyes:\u003c\/strong\u003e Often red or white, depending on lineage.\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBody Shape:\u003c\/strong\u003e Strong, stocky Kamfa build with fan-shaped caudal fin.\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRarity:\u003c\/strong\u003e Considered a \u003cstrong\u003especialty strain\u003c\/strong\u003e, not as common as Super Reds or Kamfa variants.\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003eDark Star Flowerhorn\u003c\/strong\u003e is a \u003cstrong\u003eshow-stopping, powerful centerpiece fish\u003c\/strong\u003e, combining the \u003cstrong\u003emystique of dark coloration\u003c\/strong\u003e with the trademark \u003cstrong\u003ebold personality\u003c\/strong\u003e of Flowerhorns.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Real Aquatics","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56864390971767,"sku":"FSH-00923","price":100.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0537\/0386\/8610\/files\/Flowerhorn-Cichlid-Dark-Star-8cm-Sub-Adult-Male.png?v=1773330835","url":"https:\/\/realaquatics.co.uk\/products\/flowerhorn-cichlid-dark-star-8cm-sub-adult-male","provider":"Real Aquatics","version":"1.0","type":"link"}