Do severums tend to color up with age or do they stay the same basic tone as when they are younger? Also, is there any sexual dimorphism, specifically in the golds and reds? I'm in the market for one and I've decided that I want either a red or a gold with very deep coloring and bright spots.
Severum Coloring?
- Thread starter bl00
- Start date
Golds and Reds will develop more colour as they grow, as most start out quite plain and dull white as juveniles. Greens are much the same, and you really don't know what you're in for until they grow into adults. I've got a 6-7" Green Severum and she's gone from pretty much black, to a dull creamy greeny yellow for a couple of months and is just beginning to darken back up again. Severums also vary their colours a lot depending on mood.
They are sexually dimorphic. It's not always 100% accurate, but Males have the dark facial worms on their operculums (gill covers) and between their eyes, as well as growing slightly larger and having very extended dorsal, pelvic and anal fin tips. Females can also have the facial worms but they're often not as vivid or complex.
Also know that most Severums in the hobby are not Heros severus. They're generally Heros efasciatus.
They are sexually dimorphic. It's not always 100% accurate, but Males have the dark facial worms on their operculums (gill covers) and between their eyes, as well as growing slightly larger and having very extended dorsal, pelvic and anal fin tips. Females can also have the facial worms but they're often not as vivid or complex.
Also know that most Severums in the hobby are not Heros severus. They're generally Heros efasciatus.
bl00;1979135; said:
Not really, but to hedge your bets, I'd get the most colorful one you can find.
When I got my H. severus--true severus/mouthbrooders and H. rotkiels, they were all around 3/4 inch and all the same color. I had to use a divider in the grow-out tank! After a month or two, the rotkiels started to show a rusty color on their anal finnage. Now they have reddish bellies and a strike across head/shoulder, and usually show dark bands with light between and spots. The severus aren't showing color yet---they all range from 2" to 4". My almost grown rotkiels have alot of red; I have a turquoise female that is gorgeous with the light bright. The greens don't show as much color, most of the time, but can when the mood strikes them. I need to change my fish around!
I've seen pix of the goldens with red spots--quality ones are striking. And the other types really look great in the right tank and light. Good luck!! I love mine.
I've seen pix of the goldens with red spots--quality ones are striking. And the other types really look great in the right tank and light. Good luck!! I love mine.