Most experienced flowerhorn keepers choose Kamfas over other types of flowerhorns such as Zhen Zhus. The primary reason for this choice is that Kamfas although not the easiest to groom, possess certain traits that make them very desirable.
Flowerhorns are basically hybrids which makes it impossible to call a particular species a pure Kamfa or a pre Zhen Zhu however, a flowerhorn is classified as a Kamfa when that particular fish possesses at least 75% of “Kamfa traits” such as the ones listed below. Continue reading to know more.
5 Traits Kamfas Must Possess
• Square body: A Kamfa must display a body shape that is square, as a long tapering body is typically the characteristics of a Zhen Zhu and not a Kamfa.
• Round Lips: This is a must as high quality Kamfas have round lips, not a pointy mouth as seen mainly in Zhen Zhus.
• No under bite/no overbite: Typically an under bite and an over bite are Zhen Zhu traits. High quality Kamfas rarely display such defects.
• Wrapped Fins: This is a prerequisite of Kamfas. Kamfas must have strong fins that are wrapped, for instance the dorsal fin and anal fin should wrap around the caudal fin. In addition, the Kamfa should not have long and trailing fins as this trait is displayed mainly by Zhen Zhus.
• A Strong Tail: The rays in the caudal tail of a Kamfa must be strong and upright, they should not cause the tail to droop. Zhen Zhus are typically prone to a drooping and weak tails.
Kamfas vs. King Kamfas
Flowerhorns that possess majority of the traits mentioned above are termed as Kamfas. However; in addition to the characteristics mentioned above, King Kamfas also possess vivid colours, an excellent pearl coverage and strong markings which makes them a beautiful sight to watch. All Kamfas cannot be termed as King Kamfas, only the top 2 to 10% of a high quality batch of fry can be categorised as King Kamfas.
Important Facts About Classic Kamfas
Classic Kamfas have more of Vieja Synpila genes in them which causes them to possess dual colours. The colours can range from pink to orange, yellow and other pastel shades. In addition, Classic Kamfas are typically larger at adult size as compared to other types of Kamfas. Classics also have white eyes as opposed to red eyes of modern day Kamfas.
Kamfa Faders: Myth or Fact?
Just like other types of flowerhorns, Kamfas can fade as well. The process of the scales going from a normal colour, to black and finally peeling is known as the fading process. Fader Kamfas typically have white eyes and should have vivid colours along with the other Kamfa traits. Fader Kamfas like other types of faders are devoid of pearls.
Special Note on Eye Colours
The older line of Kamfas had either white or orange eyes. At times the older line of Kamfas also had yellow eyes; however the modern day Kamfas and king Kamfas can have red eyes as well. The eye colour is used to determine the fertility of a Kamfa as well, usually white eye Kamfas are sterile, which implies that they cannot father a batch of fry. There are very few exceptions, however, the general rule is that white eye Kamfas are infertile, yellow and orange eye Kamfas have a slightly higher chance of being fertile while red eye Kamfas have the highest chance of being fertile. It is important to note that the eye colour of a flowerhorn can be used as a guideline to select breeder fish, however, at times red eye Kamfas are infertile as well and/or they are unable to raise a batch with care. Moreover, practice does make cichlids perfect while raising fry, thus if a flowerhorn male or females eats the first few batches of fry, it does not mean that he cannot learn to raise and groom fry later on in his life.
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