Flowerhorn HobbyThe luohan, explained

Tools

Flowerhorn grading scorecard

Rate eight points, get one number, and see which ones are costing you the most.

Score a fish

Use this while you look at a fish, in person or on video. Rate each point from 1 to 5 and the score updates as you go. Nothing is saved or sent anywhere.

Flowerhorn grading scorecard

Rate each point 1 to 5. The score updates as you go.

Score the fish

Size, roundness and how well it sits over the head. A kok that leans, sags or looks water-filled scores lower than a smaller firm one.

The black line along the body. Bold, even, unbroken marks that reach toward the face score highest.

Dense, even pearls that carry into the face and kok. Patchy or body-only pearling scores lower.

Rich, even color with no washed-out patches. Colors should hold when the fish is calm, not only when it flares.

Thick and deep, with a smooth back and no bent spine, pinched belly or dropped jaw.

Clear, bright, matching in size and color. Cloudiness or one sunken eye is a health flag, not a grading detail.

Whole, spread wide, carried open. No splits, clamping, ragged edges or a folded tail.

Alert, comes to the glass, eats readily, holds its color. A fish hiding in a corner tells you something.

About the fish
50Pet grade

    The eight points and the weights come from how flowerhorn keepers and show judges actually talk about fish. Kok carries the most weight, then the markings and color, then the body. Eyes, fins and behavior are worth less on paper but they tell you the most about whether the fish is healthy.

    What the number means

    ScoreWhat it usually means
    85 and upShow grade. Strong in every category, and priced like it.
    70 to 84High grade. One or two soft spots, everything else good.
    55 to 69Solid mid grade. A good fish to keep and enjoy.
    40 to 54Pet grade. Nothing wrong with it, it just will not win anything.
    Under 40Starter fish, or a fish with real problems. Check health first.

    Grading is a judgment call, not a measurement. Two experienced keepers will score the same fish a few points apart, and a fish under four inches can move two bands in either direction as it grows. Use the score to compare fish you are looking at today, not to argue with a seller.

    How to use it well

    1. Watch the fish for a minute first. Color and finnage change with mood. A fish that just got netted looks worse than it is.
    2. Score the same way every time. Your 4 should mean the same thing on every fish, or the comparison is worthless.
    3. Score more than one fish. The number is most useful when you have three scorecards side by side.
    4. Check health separately. Eyes, fins and behavior are in the score, but a sick fish is a no regardless of what it totals.

    If you want the reasoning behind each point, read the full flowerhorn grading guide. For what these fish sell for at each level, see flowerhorn prices.

    Questions

    Is this an official grading system?

    No. There is no single official flowerhorn standard. Shows and clubs use their own sheets, and they differ by country and by strain. This scorecard puts the points most of them share into one weighted number so you can compare fish consistently.

    Why does the kok count for so much?

    Because it is what most buyers look at first and what most price differences follow. A fish with an average body and an outstanding kok will usually sell for more than the reverse.

    Can I score a fry?

    You can, but treat it as a guess. Under four inches, the kok, color and markings are all still developing. Score the body shape and behavior, and take the rest lightly.

    Does a low score mean I should not buy the fish?

    Not at all. Score and price should move together. A 50 at fifty dollars can be a better buy than an 80 at six hundred, especially if you just want a fish with personality.