Severum Confusion

[AquaJason]

Hi everyone, getting a little confused on severum Id.
I believe there are three species, correct me if I am wrong: Heros efasciatus, notatus and severus(the true mouth brooder)

But their are now many colour strains which are 'morphs' of the presumingly Heros efasciatus such as the gold, red spotted and turquoise. I always believed the 'green' or 'banded' was the natural colouration of Heros efasciatus but I have recently read that it isn't and infact it too is a morph and that the 'Rotkeil severum' is the true(natural) colouration, is this true?
I use to think Rotkeil was a colour morph of Heros efasciatus so I am now very confused as I know no it isn't- every bit of help needed!

Thankyou

 

[Wills]

Hi your close but not quite there - it is confusing though as depending on who you read you get different answers... But I believe this to be right

Heros Efasciatus - this is Greens, Golds and Super Reds, the later two being the line bred morphs. But you also get Turquoise which is sometimes Heros Efasciatus but also sometimes called Heros Apendectulatus (Spelling)

Heros Notatus - spotted Sev quite simple no other strains or confusion.

Heros Severus - the orignial severum and the smaller mouth brooder - a few regional variants but all under this name though.

Red necked Severums - I think there are a couple of species in here but not many are traded or described. Heros sp. Rotkiel is a valid species in the hobby and not a variant of the others but you also get an orange necked one that grows larger than true rotkiels sold as red necks or Heros Apendectulatus which is very confusing as some people use that name for the Turquoise severum.

There is also a fourth Heros species but you never see it in the hobby which is Heros Spirius (spelling)


So in answer to your question Rotkiel is a wild type coloration - They stay smaller than Efasticious generally but there are a number of species traded and some get as big as Efasciatus so if you want a true rotkiel make sure you source them from somewhere reliable - though even the best stores and traders dont always get it right...

But the greens are the natural colour of Efasciatus - but even then there are tons of regional variants like Belems etc.

Wills

 

[balajake]

interesting info

 

[trapidz]

i got a true rotkiel
hes is stunning