{"product_id":"rotkeil-severum-heros-sp-rotkeil","title":"Rotkeil Severum | Heros sp. 'Rotkeil'","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe Rotkeil ('Redhead') Severum pairs a fiery red-orange face and shoulder with a soft green body — a deep-bodied, gentle beauty and a classic South American centrepiece. Reaching around 20 cm, it is hardy and largely peaceful, though like all severums it can become territorial when breeding. A rewarding, characterful fish for a roomy soft-water tank.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe Rotkeil is a naturally red-shouldered form of the South American severum group (Heros sp. 'Rotkeil', often linked to Heros efasciatus), from the slow rivers, floodplains and backwaters of the Amazon basin. These are warm, soft, slightly acidic waters filled with driftwood, roots and leaf litter, with plenty of overhead cover.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eA tall, disc-shaped cichlid. The signature feature is the bright red to orange head and shoulder, contrasting with a green-gold body and faint barring. Mature males often develop fine spotting and patterning on the face and gill covers, and the colour intensifies as the fish matures.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eGenerally peaceful and even a little shy for a cichlid, but it grows large and will defend a territory, especially a breeding pair. Best kept with other calm, medium-to-large tankmates. It may eat very small fish, so choose companions that are neither bite-sized nor overly aggressive.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eAn omnivore that leans towards a vegetable-rich diet. Offer a quality cichlid pellet as a staple along with plenty of plant matter — blanched vegetables, spirulina and greens — plus occasional frozen foods such as bloodworm and brine shrimp. Too much protein can cause digestive issues, so keep the diet balanced.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eProvide a minimum of around 200 L, with 250–300 L or larger better for an adult or a pair. Keep temperature at 24–28 °C, pH 5.5–7.0 and soft to moderately soft water, GH around 3–12. A sandy substrate, driftwood and gentle, well-filtered flow suit it best. It is not fully plant safe — it may nibble or uproot soft plants, so choose tough species like anubias and java fern.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eAn open substrate-spawner that forms monogamous pairs and lays eggs on a cleaned rock, log or broad leaf. Both parents guard the eggs and shepherd the fry, becoming notably more territorial during this time. A well-matched pair in warm, soft water will often breed readily.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003ctable\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHeros sp. 'Rotkeil' (Red Shoulder Severum)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRotkeil Severum, Red Shoulder Severum\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAmazon basin, South America\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAround 20 cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e8–10 years with good care\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTemperament\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePeaceful, but territorial when breeding\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBeginner to intermediate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMinimum Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e200 L\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e250–300 L or larger\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOmnivore (vegetable-leaning): cichlid pellets, greens, spirulina, occasional frozen foods\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater Temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e24–28 °C\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003epH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e5.5–7.0\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSoft to moderately soft, around 3–12 dGH\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSalinity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable (freshwater)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSuitable For\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRoomy soft-water South American aquariums\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlant Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNo (may nibble or uproot soft plants; use tough species)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e \u003c\/table\u003e \u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eSuitable tank mates include peaceful medium-to-large fish such as angelfish, larger tetras, other calm cichlids like geophagus, corydoras, bristlenose and other plecos, and rainbowfish.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eAvoid keeping with very small fish that may be eaten, aggressive Central American cichlids, and fin-nippers. Avoid hard, alkaline water.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55232813662499,"sku":"AA3453","price":74.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm)","offer_id":55232813695267,"sku":"AA3453-M","price":84.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Large (10-15cm)","offer_id":55232813728035,"sku":"AA3453-L","price":94.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"X-Large (15-20cm)","offer_id":55351968039203,"sku":"AA3453-XL","price":104.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/rotkeil-severum.png?v=1790330210","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/rotkeil-severum-heros-sp-rotkeil","provider":"Nicks AOT","version":"1.0","type":"link"}