Flower Horn fish take the country by storm
By Rosli Abidin Yahya

The bulge on the head is a prominent feature of the Flower Horn

Scores of Flower Horn enthusiasts gathered at the Ilufah Aquarium & Trading Company in Kiulap yesterday to get forms to enter the 1st Brunei National Pearl Horn Championships and Exhibition 2003.

The forms for the competition were only available beginning yesterday and judging by the number of people reaching for them it would not be surprising if the establishment runs out of entry forms in the next few days.

Because of the limitations on the number of aquariums set aside for the competition, the organisers will only admit 220 Flower Horn fishes - 60 fish for category A (length 10 inches and above), and 80 fish each for category B (7 to 10 inches) and C (4 to 7 inches).

The event is part of the Brunei Darussalam Fisheries Carnival 2003 and is jointly organised by the Fisheries Department, Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources and a leading establishment in ornamental fish, Ilufah Aquarium & Trading Company in Kiulap.

The competition, open only to citizens and permanent residents of this country, will be held at the Fish Landing Complex in Serasa from May 30 until June 1. An entrance fee of $30 will be charged to each entry of category A and $20 each for category B and C.

Koh Chun Siong, the proprietor of Ilufah when contacted gave a few tips to participants on ways of winning the competition.

He said to win the competition, a Flower Horn fish is judged on various factors such as its bulging head, its body pattern and shape, the shape of its face, its colour, striking appearances, and the shape and colour of its fins.

He added selective cross breeding among home-grown Amphilophus Trimaculatus (its scientific name) have resulted in newer breeds, which bring out more colours in modern versions of the Flower Horn.

"The Flower Horn actually rejuvenates the aquarium and ornamental fish industry especially after a difficult time during this economic slump.

"Flower Horns have benefited the industry from fish tank manufacturers, aquarium accessories suppliers to fish food producers.

"The Flower Horn fever quickly spread from Malaysia to Brunei Darussalam, Singapore and Indonesia and now to other parts of the world. We can say the fish has created a miracle unsurpassed by any recent craze," he said.

He added that Feng Shui masters dubbed the Flower Horn as the next Feng Shui fish for the next Feng Shui cycle that will begin next year, 2004.

"I believe the potential of the Flower Horn will still grow as this fish is constantly undergoing transformations creating more exciting varieties coming into the market."

Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin