Blood Parrot fish and flowerhorns have been bred in captivity for over 2 decades and have moderate popularity in the aquarium trade. They have recently seen a spike in the numbers of pet shops selling them because of their 'unique' looks and cute faces. Many people who buy these fish don't relieve the cruelty that goes into breeding Blood Parrot Fish or Flowerhorns on a scale they are now, or how to even care for this delicate creature leaving them to a early death by infection or starvation.
Blood Parrot Fish and Flowerhorns are unable to occur naturally in the wild and are a man made hybrid for hobbiyist. Some BPF are even routinely dyed different colors to achieve a desired 'trait' which causes intense stress on the fish and may weaken their imune system. On top of this the unatural genes in creating this fish can lead to spine deformitys and small mouths which leaves them unable to eat or compete with larger fish or even find their own food. Flowerhorns grow a unaturally large and tumorlike lump on their head making it hard for these fish to swim. FHF that are unwanted or do not develop the iconic lump are culled(fed to larger fish or ground up for pet food) or have been released ilegally into ecosystems in Malaysia and Singapore where they are not native and have wrecked havoc on natural species.
The lumpy growth that grows on FH and sometimes BP can render it unable to see by growing over its eyes and it may slowly starve to death with unexperienced owners who think it is just being 'picky'.
The Blood Parrot's swim bladder can also deform making swimming difficult and a easy targer for aquarium mates.
Why do people continue to breed a fish knowing they will be living a inadaquate life even in good conditions?. If this was a cow or a horse being bred for lumpy growths on its head or being unable to walk correctly there would surely be a outcry, does a fish's pain not matter?. Please sign my pentiton and SPREAD THE WORD if you want this practice to stop.
