SOUTH AMERICAN CICHLIDS.
Order Perciformes
Family Cichlidae
Subfamily ( Cichlasomatinae )
Genus Heros.
Also kept: — Heros sp. “Blau” – The main coloration is gray with a purple and blue tint. Males have small dark speckles on the body, forehead, and especially on the gill covers; females have a solid coloration. The ventral, anal, and the base of the dorsal fin are yellowish-gray. The dorsal fin has a wide blue border. In adult specimens, the ends of the dorsal, anal, and ventral fins are elongated into filaments. Fry have a camouflage striped pattern. In adults, remnants of the stripes appear as vertical spots on the belly. Only the penultimate stripe is usually most clearly visible. During the spawning period, the body color darkens, and the ventral and anal fins turn creamy-yellow; — Heros sp. “Inirida” – Unlike most other related morphs, it has eight vertical stripes instead of nine; — Heros sp. “Mouthbreeder” – 20 cm. The iris of the eye is red. Brown tones predominate in the coloration. Speckles and mask in males are weakly expressed. The lower part of the body is reddish, which is a characteristic distinguishing feature of this species;
— Heros efasciatus [Heckel, 1840] — Turquoise Severum, Peruvian Severum. Synonym: Heros appendiculatus, Chromys fasciata, appendiculata. Peru, Brazil, Amazon River basin, Rio Xingu. In the aquarium up to 17 cm. They attract attention with their unusual body shape and graceful movements. Body coloration varies from copper-yellow to brownish and very dark depending on the habitat. Distinctive features are a more intense turquoise-green body color and characteristic fiery-red lower fins. The iris of the eye is golden.
Males have a primary turquoise-green coloration with fine speckles, and a turquoise-blue “mask” with dark spots on the forehead and gill covers. Dark stripes run across the body. The dorsal and caudal fins are solid turquoise-green. The ventral and anal fins are orange-red. When highly excited, the fish turn bright red.
Males differ from females by having longer, more pointed dorsal and anal fins. Males always have speckles on the snout, whereas females do not. The female is lighter, has an almost solid coloration, and shorter dorsal and anal fins. Fry have a striped pattern. Moreover, unlike Heros severus, the stripes are uneven and can fork in a Y-shape. In juveniles, the sex can be distinguished by the pointed end of the dorsal fin (in females it also becomes pointed, but at an older age). As they grow older, the dark stripes gradually disappear, appearing in adults as spots on the belly. Only the penultimate stripe is most distinct.
Color morphs: — H. efasciatus “Rotkeil” – Red-shouldered Severum. 15 cm. The iris of the eye is golden. The main coloration is green with a blue sheen. Males have small dark speckles on the body, forehead, and especially on the gill covers; females have a solid coloration. An irregular orange or red stripe runs across the head behind the eye (as if wearing a kerchief). The ventral, anal, and the base of the dorsal fin are orange. The dorsal fin has a wide blue border. In adult specimens, the ends of the dorsal, anal, and ventral fins are elongated into filaments. Prンe-disposed to exhibit slightly greater interspecific aggression in the aquarium than the nominal form H. severus.
They require a large aquarium. Except for the spawning period, this is a peaceful fish. They are aggressive towards conspecifics and other fish families. At the slightest fright, often with surprising speed, they choose an upward path, so a cover glass is necessary. Driftwood, large stones, and various sloped slate slabs. They eat and uproot plants. Only hard-leaved and fast-growing plants have a chance of survival. Aeration, filtration, and water changes are mandatory. Mostly vegetarians, up to 80% of their diet should be plant-based food. They mature at 1.5-2 years. A pair forms from a group of fish. pH 6.5-7.7; dH 10-20°; T 22-28°C.
— Heros notatus [Jardine, 1843] — Spotted Severum. Synonym: Centrarchus notatus. (Eng. Spotted Heros). Brazil, Rio Negro and Rio Branco river basin. 25 cm. It differs from the common severum (Heros severus) by more intensive, wavy speckles on the head and gill covers, and a convex forehead shape. The lower part of the body and gill covers are yellowish. The back is olive. The male shimmers with a spectrum of yellow-green colors, the outer edges of the gills are red, the cheeks and border of the dorsal fin are blue, the anal and ventral fins are pink-orange, and large brown-maroon speckles are scattered all over the body. They have more elongated dorsal and anal fins. The female’s body is without speckles. Juveniles are striped.
Color morphs: — H. notatus “Guyana”. It differs from the common Heros severus by more intensive, wavy speckles on the head and gill covers, and a convex forehead shape. The male shimmers with the full spectrum of yellow-green colors, the outer edges of the gill covers are colored yellowish, the “cheeks” and the border of the dorsal fin are blue, the anal and ventral fins are pink-orange, and large brown-maroon speckles are scattered all over the body. The female has fins of the same coloration, but the body is plain, without speckles. Juvenile specimens have a protective striped coloration.
Not a particularly aggressive species, although males may quarrel. This species is more prone to intraspecific aggression, which makes keeping them in a group problematic. However, fish of other species can easily coexist with them. Small fish will certainly be eaten. Prefers lower water levels. Requires hiding places made of smooth stones and driftwood. A sandy substrate is recommended because this fish loves to dig in it. Omnivorous, they eat most aquarium foods. The fish are mostly vegetarians, so they will eat all vegetation. pH 6.0-7.0; dH 0-8°; T 23-26°C.
Heros severus, Banded Cichlid.
Cichlasoma dimerus, Cichlasoma festae, Cichlasoma portalegrense. 
