In the late 1990's a group of breeders were successful in creating a hybrid cichlid. Various species of the South American cichlid were interbreed in Malaysia. What the exact species that were used are still unknown except for those who developed the fish. Basing on the appearance of the fish, the most probably parents would be Trimacs (Amhilophous Trimaculatus), Midas cichlid (Amphilophus citrinellum), Red Devil Cichlid ( Amphilophus labiatum) or Red Headed Cichlid (Vieja synspila). The flowerhorn fish was the result of the intensive crossbreeding.
The flowerhorn has a very distinctive appearance that separates them from the other cichlids. They have a hump on their head. Also, there are markings on the side of their bodies. These fish are capable of reproducing unlike other hybrids. They are even easily breed.
Feng shui has been a major contribution for the attention the fish has been getting in the past. The flowerhorn fish was thought to be lucky. This is not unusual since there are other fish who has the reputation of being lucky. The Arowana was also thought to be lucky because of its resemblance to the mythical dragon. Like that, the flowerhorn was also thought to be lucky.
The Chinese god of longevity is associated with the hump of the fish. The high forehead of the god was thought to resemble the hump on the fish. As the fish grows, so does its hump. A larger hump on the fish means more luck will it bring. The marking on the side of the fish are also considered its lucky feature. The patterns that the marking creates are sometimes distinguishable as numbers or characters.
With the ability of the fish to reproduce easily even in captivity and its association to being lucky, the market for the fish boomed early in the millennium mostly throughout the Asian region. The sale of the fish on its early years was even considered extravagant. Fine specimens of the fish sometimes were even bought for a couple of hundreds of dollars. The fish was then seen as an untapped gold mine by some. With the increase in demand, the breeding also became more intensive.