Causes

As we have explained in other sections, there are many superstitions related to the Flowerhorn Fish, and all of them were part of the causes of the craze. The fish is also attractive and cute to a certain extent, as well as easy to breed. However, all of these were unnoticed and unknown as the fish continued to live in the drains. What then, suddenly drew so much attention to the fish, and transformed the drain dweller into a thousand dollar fish overnight? It is rumoured that the craze was sparked off when someone claimed to have gotten its lottery numbers from the black markings on the fish's body. When this was published in the news, not every well-educated Singaporean believed that the claim was true, and lottery-number providing fish actually existed - even if the person really got his numbers from the fish, it was merely a coincidence. This however drew a lot more attention to the fish, and within days, the attractiveness of the fish's physical features and superstitions suddenly became known to the whole island.

Superstitions

As mentioned in the earlier sections, there were many myths and superstitions regarding the fish and its different physical features. This caused many superstitious people to rush to buy this fish, believing that it could really bring them success and prosperity in their businesses, as well as protection in their homes. People who believed in Feng Shui were also attracted by the Feng Shui Fish identity of the Flowerhorn.

Appearance

Not everyone believed the myths and supernatural ability of the Flowerhorn to bring good luck, but the Flowerhorn also served quite well as an ornamental fish, and its peculiar hump on its forehead was regarded as unique and cute to a certain extent. Even if the superstitions might not be true, it is still pretty nice to have it in your office as a decoration, to soothe your eyes after a completing a heavy load of work on the computer, isnt it?

Character

The Flowerhorn fish is also a very active fish, and despite its aggressiveness, it can also forge strong bonds with its owner. Playing with the fish provided a source of recreation to old people and children, it was regarded as fun to put your fingers on the sides of the tank and watch the fish swim towards it, and also watch the Flowerhorn as it eats up the small fish or insects thrown into its tank. The Flowerhorn thus also served as a very good pet and companion.

"Follow the crowd" mentality of Singaporeans

Our group feels that this is one of the greatest causes of the 2003 Flowerhorn Craze. Like little children, when someone buys a Flowerhorn, and shows it off to everyone he knows, since the Flowerhorn is after all quite a costly fish and a good reflection of the owner's economic status, everyone decides to buy one too, to prevent themselves from feeling left out. After watching experienced breeders show off their high quality fish on TV, everyone regarded rearing a Flowerhorn as the "in" thing and followed suit too. Before the Flowerhorn craze, there was also a similar incident, though not as big and sudden as the Flowerhorn craze, over the Arowana fish, a fish with dragon like whiskers. That incident, among other similar ones, showed how susceptible Singaporens are to the latest trends and fashions. We feel that if this mentality of Singaporeans did not exist, people would not feel so compelled to buy a Flowerhorn despite its costly price.

The prices of Flowerhorns fish in aquarium shops are usually priced with many "8"s in it, like $8888, because the Chinese believe that the number "8" symbolizes prosperity.