All you need to know: Kamfa

Kamfa is a popular and visually striking variety of Flowerhorn fish, known for its rounded body, vibrant colours, sunken red or white eyes, and distinctive kok (head bump). Their diet plays a key role in their health and appearance, high-protein foods like Intan Flower Horn Pellets, enriched with fresh Artemia and natural astaxanthin, support colour enhancement, kok development, and immunity. With the right care, environment, and nutrition, Kamfa fish become active, responsive centerpieces in any aquarium setup.

If you’re even slightly familiar with Flowerhorn fish, chances are you’ve come across the Kamfa - a bold, beautiful, and somewhat mysterious variety that’s captured the attention of aquarists worldwide. With its striking head shape, vivid colours, and intense gaze, the Kamfa is a true showstopper in the world of ornamental fish.

But keeping a Kamfa isn’t just about admiring its looks, it comes with its own set of care requirements, behaviours, and quirks. In this guide, we’ll dive into everything you need to know about Kamfa, from its origins to its ideal tank setup and feeding habits.

What is a Kamfa?

The Kamfa is a hybrid Flowerhorn fish, believed to have originated from crossbreeding various South American cichlids with species like the Vieja or Trimac. What makes the Kamfa stand out from other Flowerhorn types is its more rounded body, shorter mouth, thick lips, and intense red or white eyes.

Unlike some other Flowerhorn varieties, the Kamfa often has a prominent kok (the bulbous forehead), but it’s the eye colour, dense pearling, and tight fin formation that really define this fish in the aquarium world.

Key Features of the Kamfa

• Body Shape: Shorter and more rounded than other Flowerhorns
• Eyes: Bright red or white; typically sunken into the head
• Tail and Fins: Strong, symmetrical, and well-formed
• Kok (Head Bump): Usually well-developed but varies by individual
• Pearling: Dense, vibrant spots across the body
  

Not all Kamfas look alike, and quality can vary significantly, especially when choosing a juvenile. Selecting from a trusted breeder or shop is crucial if you’re after a high-grade specimen.

Ideal Tank Setup for Kamfa

Though bold and hardy, Kamfa fish still require a stable and suitable environment to thrive. Their active nature and size (they can grow up to 30 cm) mean they need space, both for swimming and displaying their territorial behaviour.

Here’s what a good Kamfa tank should include:

• Tank size: Minimum 200 litres for one adult
• Temperature: 26°C to 30°C
• pH level: Slightly alkaline (7.4–8.0 preferred)
• Filtration: Strong and consistent as Kamfas are messy eaters
• Décor: Keep it simple with rocks or sturdy decorations - no fragile plants
• Lighting: Moderate lighting helps bring out their colours
  

Note: The Kamfa is best kept solo. They’re highly territorial and don’t play well with others.

What to Feed Your Kamfa?

Kamfa fish are omnivorous but benefit most from a high-protein diet that supports their colour and kok development.

Feed them a variety of:

• High-quality pellets

Intan Flower Horn Pellets are a premium, high-protein (45%) ornamental fish food specially crafted for Flowerhorn and Kamfa varieties. Enriched with fresh Artemia, natural astaxanthin, and essential nutrients, these pellets support vibrant colour enhancement, strong immunity, and the healthy development of the fish’s signature head hump. With a carefully balanced formula and high-quality ingredients like krill, algae, and multivitamins, this feed promotes overall growth and helps prevent nutritional deficiencies, making it ideal for keeping your prized Flowerhorn in peak condition.

Feeding 2–3 small meals a day is ideal. Overfeeding can lead to bloating and water quality issues, especially given how aggressive Kamfas are with food.

Behaviour and Personality

One of the reasons hobbyists love the Kamfa is its interactive nature. These fish are curious, intelligent, and often respond to their owner’s presence. They’ll follow your finger across the glass or flare their fins during feeding time, making them not just a visual delight.

That said, they are highly aggressive and extremely territorial. The Kamfa should never be housed with other fish unless the tank is specifically partitioned.

Common Care Tips

To keep your Kamfa healthy and vibrant:

• Perform regular water changes (at least 30% weekly)
• Keep tank parameters stable - sudden shifts can stress them out
• Avoid glass-banging or tapping - they don’t appreciate it
• Use floating mirrors sparingly to stimulate activity and kok growth
• Observe daily - changes in colour or behaviour can indicate illness

Taking Care of Kamfa

The Kamfa is not a fish for everyone but for those willing to commit, it offers a unique mix of beauty, intelligence, and personality. From its glowing colours to its expressive face, keeping a Kamfa is a deeply rewarding experience.

If you’re ready for a bold centerpiece that interacts, challenges, and dazzles, the Kamfa might just be the perfect addition to your tank. Just remember: it’s not a background fish — it’s the main event.

At Intan, we are here to provide you with premium fish feed. Our feed is tailored to meet the specific needs of each species. Every feed can spark positive change and create a future promoting quality, resilience, and well-being. We aim to serve the needs of hobbyists and breeders for the best quality of each species’ unique requirements. To know more about us, check out our Instagram page or contact us. 

We are not just a brand; we are stewards of the underwater world. We believe in the well-being of our friends and their mental health. Understanding and addressing the stressors that affect fish is not just a concept for us, it's a commitment. Through our dedication to research and innovative products, we aim to ensure that fish everywhere can lead happier, healthier lives.