So I got this red shouldered severum a while back. Recently, it went from very bland to having that striping. Is that striping normal for a red shoulder? Also pardon the glass. It’s a little messy
Red shouldered severum
- Thread starter Imsexy
- Start date
So I got this red shouldered severum a while back. Recently, it went from very bland to having that striping. Is that striping normal for a red shoulder? Also pardon the glass. It’s a little messy
Not typically. Not those I've had, anyway (and I've raised quite a lot of them). On the other hand barred fish of various species can produce individuals with atypical bars. On the other hand most Heros will interbreed and a rotkeil x green mix isn't out of the question. Then again, rotkeils and normal greens look very similar until rokteils begin developing their red-- which starts between 2.5 and 4 inches ime. Both male and female rotkeils get the red ime.
Rotkeils typically have 8 bars. I've seen people say they've seen them with 9, this would be atypical ime, but as I say, various barred cichlids (including Heros) can produce atypical bars, including split, extras, and more bars on one side than the other. There's some debate over the origin of rotkeils. I've talked to a well known and knowledgeable importer with good connections and science credentials who decidedly disagrees with some of the theories out there. I've looked at both sides, not interested in debating it, but I respect his opinion. Maybe something more conclusive to the debate will come out in time.
What size is it? At this point that doesn't look rotkeil to me, but as I say, they look like greens when small.
Last edited:
I think your question is whether or not the fish should always show dark bars. Typically adult Heros which are dominant in a tank will not show their stress bars all the time. They may use them as camouflage, to signal submission to a more dominant fish, get them when they’re stressed, etc.
Sub-adult and adult Heros typically fade their bars. In rotkeils you would normally see blotches or half bars on the lower flanks instead of full dark bars across the whole body.
Is this the only severum in the tank? Is it being picked on by any more aggressive tankmates?
Sub-adult and adult Heros typically fade their bars. In rotkeils you would normally see blotches or half bars on the lower flanks instead of full dark bars across the whole body.
Is this the only severum in the tank? Is it being picked on by any more aggressive tankmates?
Yes, I focused on the Y-shaped bar and number of bars. If intent of the question is boldness of bars, I generally saw that in young rotkeils and it faded as they grew. Of course, there's always a component to stripe or bar display that reflects mood, status in the tank, etc. It can be stress-- but not necessarily, there are other functions/reasons. Adults I didn't see it much, normally just the partial bars, or temporary fading or darkening of bars according to mood... or as a form of body language.
Still curious on size of that one?
Still curious on size of that one?
Thanks for the information. To answer your questions it’s about 7 inches. It’s in a 125 with another severum, a pollini, and a couple clown loaches. As for the aggression it is a very peaceful tank and the one shown is most definitely the alpha of the two severums. The pollini is about 11 inches and is very peaceful somehow. No issue there (also I’m aware of the ph difference between the two species but I’ve been able to balance that for two years without any issue)