{"id":4765,"date":"2026-02-17T05:00:40","date_gmt":"2026-02-17T05:00:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/aquadistribution.co.uk\/product\/flowerhorn-cichlid-dark-star-8cm-sub-adult-male\/"},"modified":"2026-02-17T05:00:40","modified_gmt":"2026-02-17T05:00:40","slug":"flowerhorn-cichlid-dark-star-8cm-sub-adult-male","status":"publish","type":"product","link":"https:\/\/aquadistribution.co.uk\/?product=flowerhorn-cichlid-dark-star-8cm-sub-adult-male","title":{"rendered":"Flowerhorn Cichlid Dark Star 8cm Sub Adult Male"},"content":{"rendered":"<h3 data-start=\"78\" data-end=\"114\">Flowerhorn Cichlid \u2013 Dark Star<\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"116\" data-end=\"534\"><strong data-start=\"116\" data-end=\"129\">Overview:<\/strong><br data-start=\"129\" data-end=\"132\" \/>The <strong data-start=\"136\" data-end=\"160\">Dark Star Flowerhorn<\/strong> is a <strong data-start=\"166\" data-end=\"194\">rare and striking strain<\/strong> of Flowerhorn, recognized for its <strong data-start=\"229\" data-end=\"271\">deep black or charcoal base coloration<\/strong>, often contrasted with <strong data-start=\"295\" data-end=\"336\">iridescent pearling or red highlights<\/strong>. This variety has an almost <strong data-start=\"365\" data-end=\"380\">cosmic look<\/strong>, which is how it earned the \u201cDark Star\u201d name. Highly collectible, it is prized among hobbyists who want something <strong data-start=\"495\" data-end=\"516\">dramatic and bold<\/strong> in their tanks.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"536\" data-end=\"744\"><strong data-start=\"536\" data-end=\"547\">Origin:<\/strong><br data-start=\"547\" data-end=\"550\" \/>A selectively bred strain from <strong data-start=\"581\" data-end=\"612\">Kamfa and Zhen Zhu lineages<\/strong>, developed in Southeast Asia to emphasize <strong data-start=\"655\" data-end=\"689\">dark pigmentation and pearling<\/strong> while retaining the signature <strong data-start=\"720\" data-end=\"741\">nuchal hump (kok)<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"746\" data-end=\"760\"><strong data-start=\"746\" data-end=\"758\">Feeding:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"761\" data-end=\"1030\">\n<li data-start=\"761\" data-end=\"843\">\n<p data-start=\"763\" data-end=\"843\"><strong data-start=\"763\" data-end=\"774\">Staple:<\/strong> High-quality Flowerhorn pellets (growth, kok, and color formulas).<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"844\" data-end=\"937\">\n<p data-start=\"846\" data-end=\"937\"><strong data-start=\"846\" data-end=\"862\">Supplements:<\/strong> Frozen krill, shrimp, and protein-rich live foods for kok and body mass.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"938\" data-end=\"1030\">\n<p data-start=\"940\" data-end=\"1030\"><strong data-start=\"940\" data-end=\"954\">Enhancers:<\/strong> Spirulina or astaxanthin-based foods to bring out red or blue undertones.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-start=\"1032\" data-end=\"1049\"><strong data-start=\"1032\" data-end=\"1047\">Tank Mates:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"1050\" data-end=\"1183\">\n<li data-start=\"1050\" data-end=\"1112\">\n<p data-start=\"1052\" data-end=\"1112\">Best kept <strong data-start=\"1062\" data-end=\"1071\">alone<\/strong>, as aggression is <strong data-start=\"1090\" data-end=\"1109\">high to extreme<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1113\" data-end=\"1183\">\n<p data-start=\"1115\" data-end=\"1183\">If housed with others, require <strong data-start=\"1146\" data-end=\"1180\">very large tanks with dividers<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-start=\"1185\" data-end=\"1318\"><strong data-start=\"1185\" data-end=\"1200\">Aggression:<\/strong><br data-start=\"1200\" data-end=\"1203\" \/><strong data-start=\"1203\" data-end=\"1244\">Extremely aggressive and territorial.<\/strong> Dark Star Flowerhorns are <strong data-start=\"1271\" data-end=\"1285\">alpha fish<\/strong>, dominating their environment.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"1320\" data-end=\"1427\"><strong data-start=\"1320\" data-end=\"1341\">Experience Level:<\/strong><br data-start=\"1341\" data-end=\"1344\" \/><strong data-start=\"1344\" data-end=\"1357\">Advanced.<\/strong> Suited for keepers who have handled <strong data-start=\"1394\" data-end=\"1424\">large, aggressive cichlids<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"1429\" data-end=\"1452\"><strong data-start=\"1429\" data-end=\"1450\">Water Parameters:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"1453\" data-end=\"1599\">\n<li data-start=\"1453\" data-end=\"1491\">\n<p data-start=\"1455\" data-end=\"1491\">Temperature: <strong data-start=\"1468\" data-end=\"1489\">78\u201384\u00b0F (25\u201329\u00b0C)<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1492\" data-end=\"1511\">\n<p data-start=\"1494\" data-end=\"1511\">pH: <strong data-start=\"1498\" data-end=\"1509\">7.4\u20138.0<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1512\" data-end=\"1538\">\n<p data-start=\"1514\" data-end=\"1538\">Hardness: <strong data-start=\"1524\" data-end=\"1536\">8\u201320 dGH<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1539\" data-end=\"1599\">\n<p data-start=\"1541\" data-end=\"1599\">Minimum Tank Size: <strong data-start=\"1560\" data-end=\"1575\">75+ gallons<\/strong> (for a single adult).<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-start=\"1601\" data-end=\"1623\"><strong data-start=\"1601\" data-end=\"1621\">Unique Features:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"1624\" data-end=\"2047\">\n<li data-start=\"1624\" data-end=\"1747\">\n<p data-start=\"1626\" data-end=\"1747\"><strong data-start=\"1626\" data-end=\"1641\">Coloration:<\/strong> Deep <strong data-start=\"1647\" data-end=\"1671\">black\/dark grey body<\/strong> with <strong data-start=\"1677\" data-end=\"1698\">metallic pearling<\/strong>, sometimes accented with <strong data-start=\"1724\" data-end=\"1744\">red or blue hues<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1748\" data-end=\"1818\">\n<p data-start=\"1750\" data-end=\"1818\"><strong data-start=\"1750\" data-end=\"1765\">Head (Kok):<\/strong> Large and rounded, typical of Kamfa-based strains.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1819\" data-end=\"1874\">\n<p data-start=\"1821\" data-end=\"1874\"><strong data-start=\"1821\" data-end=\"1830\">Eyes:<\/strong> Often red or white, depending on lineage.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1875\" data-end=\"1949\">\n<p data-start=\"1877\" data-end=\"1949\"><strong data-start=\"1877\" data-end=\"1892\">Body Shape:<\/strong> Strong, stocky Kamfa build with fan-shaped caudal fin.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1950\" data-end=\"2047\">\n<p data-start=\"1952\" data-end=\"2047\"><strong data-start=\"1952\" data-end=\"1963\">Rarity:<\/strong> Considered a <strong data-start=\"1977\" data-end=\"1997\">specialty strain<\/strong>, not as common as Super Reds or Kamfa variants.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-start=\"2049\" data-end=\"2232\">The <strong data-start=\"2053\" data-end=\"2077\">Dark Star Flowerhorn<\/strong> is a <strong data-start=\"2083\" data-end=\"2127\">show-stopping, powerful centerpiece fish<\/strong>, combining the <strong data-start=\"2143\" data-end=\"2174\">mystique of dark coloration<\/strong> with the trademark <strong data-start=\"2194\" data-end=\"2214\">bold personality<\/strong> of Flowerhorns.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Flowerhorn Cichlid \u2013 Dark Star Overview:The Dark Star Flowerhorn is a rare and striking strain of Flowerhorn, recognized for its deep black or charcoal base coloration, often contrasted with iridescent pearling or red highlights. This variety has an almost cosmic look, which is how it earned the \u201cDark Star\u201d name. Highly collectible, it is prized [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":4764,"template":"","meta":[],"product_brand":[],"product_cat":[98],"product_tag":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-4765","1":"product","2":"type-product","3":"status-publish","4":"has-post-thumbnail","6":"product_cat-flowerhorn","8":"first","9":"instock","10":"taxable","11":"shipping-taxable","12":"purchasable","13":"product-type-simple"},"group_of_quantity":0,"min_quantity":0,"max_quantity":"","exclude_order_quantity_value_rules":"no","exclude_category_quantity_rules":"no","combine_variations":"no","exclude_global_add_ons":[],"addons":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/aquadistribution.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/product\/4765","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/aquadistribution.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/product"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/aquadistribution.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/product"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/aquadistribution.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/4764"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/aquadistribution.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=4765"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"product_brand","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/aquadistribution.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fproduct_brand&post=4765"},{"taxonomy":"product_cat","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/aquadistribution.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fproduct_cat&post=4765"},{"taxonomy":"product_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/aquadistribution.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fproduct_tag&post=4765"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}