🐟 Red Shoulder Severum – (Heros sp. “Rotkeil”) – Captive-Bred Peruvian Amazon Cichlid

The Red Shoulder Severum (Heros sp. “Rotkeil”), also known as the Rotkeil Severum or Redneck Severum, is a beautiful South American cichlid recognized by the brilliant red-orange wedge extending across the shoulder, upper body, and gill region of mature specimens.

The Rotkeil is most strongly associated with the Rio Nanay region of the Peruvian Amazon near Iquitos, Peru. Although it has been maintained and bred in aquariums for many years, it has not yet received a formally described species name, making Heros sp. “Rotkeil” the safest identification.

This listing is for:

CAPTIVE-BRED RED SHOULDER SEVERUMS

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🔎 Quick Facts – Red Shoulder Severum

• 📛 Common Name: Red Shoulder Severum
• 📛 Other Names: Rotkeil Severum, Redneck Severum
• 🔬 Scientific Identification: Heros sp. “Rotkeil”
• 🧬 Taxonomic Status: Scientifically Undescribed
• 🐟 Family: Cichlidae
• 🌿 Stock: Captive Bred
• 🌎 Origin: South America
• 🇵🇪 Country: Peru
• 🌊 Primary Locality Association: Rio Nanay
• 📍 Region: Peruvian Amazon near Iquitos
• 💧 Water Type: Freshwater
• 📏 Adult Planning Size: Approximately 8–10 inches
• 🏠 Minimum Aquarium: Approximately 75 gallons for one adult
• 🏠 Pair / Community Aquarium: 90–125+ gallons preferred
• 📐 Aquarium Shape: Long aquarium with substantial swimming area
• 🌡️ Temperature: Approximately 75–82°F
• 💧 pH: Approximately 5.8–7.5
• 💦 Water: Soft to moderately mineralized
• 🌊 Water Movement: Gentle to Moderate
• 💨 Oxygenation: Good
• 🍽️ Diet: Omnivore
• 🌿 Plant / Vegetable Foods: Important
• 🦐 Animal / Invertebrate Foods: Supplemental
• 😌 Temperament: Relatively peaceful for a large cichlid
• ⚠️ Breeding Temperament: Territorial when paired and spawning
• 🐠 Swimming Area: Middle / Lower
• 🥚 Breeding: Biparental Substrate Spawner
• 👨‍👩‍👧 Parental Care: Both parents guard eggs and fry
• ⭐ Care Level: Intermediate
• 🌎 IUCN Status: Not Evaluated as an undescribed form

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🧬 Scientifically Undescribed Heros

The safest scientific identification remains:

Heros sp. “Rotkeil”

The abbreviation:

sp.

means this fish is recognized as belonging to the genus:

Heros

but has not yet received a formally published species name.

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⚠️ Do Not Call It Heros severus

The name:

Heros severus

is frequently used incorrectly for many aquarium Severums.

True Heros severus is a formally recognized species with its own distribution and biological characteristics.

The Red Shoulder Severum should therefore:

NOT

automatically be labeled:

Heros severus “Rotkeil”

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⚠️ Do Not Automatically Call It Heros efasciatus

Some aquarium references use:

Heros cf. efasciatus “Rotkeil”

because the Red Shoulder Severum resembles members of the H. efasciatus group.

However, that relationship has not been formally resolved.

For this product, the cleaner and safer identification is:

Heros sp. “Rotkeil”

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🔴 What Does “Rotkeil” Mean?

The aquarium name:

ROTKEIL

comes from German:

Rot = Red

and:

Keil = Wedge

So the name essentially means:

RED WEDGE

referring to the distinctive red-orange wedge of coloration across the shoulder and upper front portion of the body.

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🎨 Appearance

Adult Red Shoulder Severums can develop a beautiful mixture of:

• Olive green
• Golden green
• Gray-green
• Blue-green
• Red
• Orange
• Black

The body is typically deep and laterally compressed, giving the fish the classic rounded:

SEVERUM BODY SHAPE

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🔴 The Red Shoulder

The defining feature is the:

RED TO ORANGE SHOULDER PATCH

which may extend from the:

• Gill cover
• Upper cheek
• Shoulder
• Upper flank

toward the:

• Dorsal-fin region

In highly colored adults, the red may also extend farther onto the:

• Face
• Chest
• Belly
• Dorsal fin
• Anal fin

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⚠️ Red Color Varies

Not every Red Shoulder Severum develops exactly the same amount of red.

Color intensity can depend on:

• Genetics
• Age
• Sex
• Diet
• Social status
• Aquarium lighting
• Stress
• Water quality
• Breeding condition

Therefore:

EXACT ADULT RED COLORATION CANNOT BE GUARANTEED

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🖤 Vertical Bars

Rotkeil Severums can display several dark vertical bars across the body.

The intensity of these bars changes dramatically depending on:

• Mood
• Stress
• Dominance
• Breeding condition
• Background coloration

A relaxed fish may show relatively faint bars.

A stressed or breeding fish may become much darker.

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🔄 Breeding Color Can Change Dramatically

One interesting characteristic of Severums is that their coloration can change substantially during reproduction.

A normally bright Red Shoulder Severum may temporarily become:

• Darker
• More strongly barred
• Less intensely red

while:

• Pair bonding
• Spawning
• Guarding eggs
• Protecting fry

This is normal.

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🌎 Native Distribution

The Red Shoulder Severum is associated with:

THE PERUVIAN AMAZON

and particularly the:

RIO NANAY REGION

near:

IQUITOS, PERU

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🌊 Rio Nanay

The Rio Nanay is a tributary of the Amazon system in northeastern Peru.

Rotkeil Severums are associated with quieter habitats containing:

• Slow-moving water
• River margins
• Submerged roots
• Fallen branches
• Woody debris
• Vegetation
• Protected shoreline areas

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⚠️ Exact Formal Range Is Not Yet Established

Because:

Heros sp. “Rotkeil”

is still scientifically undescribed, there is no formal species description defining its complete geographic distribution.

Therefore, I would avoid broad claims that it occurs throughout:

THE ENTIRE AMAZON BASIN

The more accurate product-page wording is:

RIO NANAY / PERUVIAN AMAZON REGION

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🌿 Natural Habitat

A natural-style aquarium can include:

• Driftwood
• Large roots
• Smooth rocks
• Sand
• Leaf-litter-style décor
• Shaded areas
• Open swimming space

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🪵 Driftwood

Large driftwood pieces work especially well.

They provide:

• Shelter
• Visual barriers
• Territory boundaries
• Shade
• Natural appearance

Wood can help create separate territories when more than one Severum is maintained.

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🪨 Smooth Rocks

Smooth flat rocks are useful for:

• Décor
• Territory
• Spawning surfaces

Breeding pairs may select a:

• Flat rock
• Piece of driftwood
• Smooth vertical surface

as a spawning site.

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🌿 Planted Aquariums – Use Caution

Severums are often marketed for planted community aquariums, but customers should understand:

THEY MAY EAT OR DAMAGE PLANTS

They may:

• Bite leaves
• Uproot plants
• Tear soft plants
• Remove vegetation around spawning areas

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🌱 Better Plant Choices

Hardier options may include plants attached to décor, such as:

• Anubias
• Java Fern

but even hardy plants are:

NOT GUARANTEED SAFE

with a large Severum.

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📏 Adult Size

Red Shoulder Severums generally reach approximately:

8–10 INCHES

or approximately:

20–25 CM

when mature.

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⚠️ Individual Size Varies

Some aquarium references report adults closer to:

8 INCHES

while established large specimens may approach:

9–10 INCHES

For responsible customer planning:

EXPECT APPROXIMATELY 8–10 INCHES

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🏠 Aquarium Size

For one adult:

75 GALLONS OR LARGER

is a reasonable permanent starting point.

For:

• A bonded pair
• Multiple Severums
• Other large cichlids

I prefer:

90–125+ GALLONS

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📐 Aquarium Length Matters

Severums are tall-bodied fish, but they are also active swimmers.

Provide:

• Substantial horizontal swimming room
• Open middle-water space
• Large turning area

A longer aquarium is more useful than a very tall but short aquarium.

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⚠️ Breeding Pairs Need Extra Space

A normally peaceful pair can become much more territorial once:

• Eggs are laid
• Fry hatch
• Young become free swimming

A larger aquarium provides other fish with room to avoid the breeding territory.

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🌡️ Temperature

A practical maintenance range is:

75–82°F / 24–28°C

Captive-bred fish generally adapt well within this range when temperatures remain stable.

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💧 Water Parameters

A practical long-term range is:

• 🌡️ Temperature: Approximately 75–82°F
• 💧 pH: Approximately 5.8–7.5
• 💦 Hardness: Soft to moderately mineralized
• 🌊 Water Movement: Gentle to Moderate
• 💨 Oxygenation: Good
• ☠️ Ammonia: 0 ppm
• ☠️ Nitrite: 0 ppm
• 🔄 Nitrate: Keep as low as reasonably practical

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🌊 Avoid Excessive Current

Unlike many high-flow plecos:

ROTKEIL SEVERUMS DO NOT REQUIRE STRONG RIVER-TORRENT CURRENT

Their native-style habitat is associated more with:

• Slower channels
• Protected river margins
• Woody shoreline habitat
• Quieter water

Provide:

GENTLE TO MODERATE FLOW

with good filtration and oxygenation.

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💩 Filtration

Adult Severums produce a significant amount of waste.

Use strong:

• Mechanical filtration
• Biological filtration

Suitable systems include:

• Canister filters
• Sump filtration
• Large hang-on-back systems
• Supplemental sponge filtration

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🔄 Water Changes

Regular partial water changes help maintain:

• Low nitrate
• Stable chemistry
• Good coloration
• Healthy growth
• Successful breeding

The exact schedule should reflect:

• Aquarium size
• Number of fish
• Feeding
• Filtration
• Nitrate production

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🍽️ Diet – Omnivore

The Red Shoulder Severum is an:

OMNIVORE

and should receive a varied diet.

The best long-term feeding program includes:

PLANT FOODS + QUALITY PREPARED FOODS + MODERATE ANIMAL PROTEIN

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🌿 Plant Foods Are Important

Suitable foods include:

• Spirulina-containing pellets
• Vegetable-based cichlid foods
• Quality omnivore pellets
• Peas
• Zucchini
• Spinach
• Appropriate leafy greens

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🍃 Severums May Eat Aquarium Plants

Their willingness to consume plant foods explains why:

LIVE AQUARIUM PLANTS MAY ALSO BECOME FOOD

This behavior is normal.

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🦐 Animal / Invertebrate Foods

Suitable supplemental foods include:

• Mysis shrimp
• Brine shrimp
• Krill
• Bloodworms
• Blackworms
• Insect-based foods

Use rich animal foods as:

PART OF A BALANCED DIET

rather than the only food offered.

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🚫 Avoid a Heavy Meat-Only Diet

Do not maintain Red Shoulder Severums exclusively on:

• Shrimp
• Bloodworms
• Beef heart
• High-protein predator foods

A balanced omnivorous diet is more appropriate.

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😌 Temperament

The Red Shoulder Severum is generally:

RELATIVELY PEACEFUL FOR A LARGE CICHLID

It is usually less aggressive than many:

• Central American cichlids
• Large Vieja
• Midas-type cichlids
• Large predatory South American cichlids

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⚠️ “Peaceful” Does Not Mean Completely Non-Aggressive

Adult Severums remain:

CICHLIDS

and may show:

• Territorial behavior
• Dominance
• Chasing
• Pair aggression
• Spawning aggression

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🐠 Tankmates

Potential tankmates may include appropriately sized:

• Large tetras
• Silver dollars
• Geophagus
• Larger peaceful catfish
• Plecos
• Other relatively peaceful South American cichlids

Compatibility always depends on:

• Aquarium size
• Individual temperament
• Territory
• Adult size

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🐟 Avoid Very Small Fish

A large Severum may eventually eat fish small enough to fit into its mouth.

Tiny:

• Tetras
• Fry
• Small livebearers

may therefore be inappropriate tankmates with a full-grown adult.

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⚠️ Avoid Extremely Aggressive Cichlids

Very aggressive tankmates can intimidate or injure Red Shoulder Severums.

Avoid overcrowding them with fish that continually:

• Chase
• Bite
• Corner
• Outcompete

them.

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🧠 Intelligent & Interactive

Severums often become:

VERY RESPONSIVE TO THEIR KEEPERS

Established fish may:

• Recognize feeding routines
• Approach the aquarium glass
• Follow movement outside the tank
• Beg for food
• Establish individual personalities

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♂️ Male vs. Female

Sexing Red Shoulder Severums can be difficult.

Mature Males Often Develop:

• More extensive facial vermiculations
• Stronger markings on the gill covers
• More pointed dorsal fin
• More pointed anal fin
• Longer fin extensions
• Larger adult body size

Mature Females Often Have:

• Less elaborate facial markings
• Shorter fin extensions
• Rounder body profile

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⚠️ Sexing Is Not Guaranteed From Color

These characteristics are:

TENDENCIES

not absolute rules.

Some females can develop substantial facial markings.

Some males may not develop dramatic fin extensions.

Unless confidently identified:

SELL AS UNSEXED

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🥚 Breeding – Confirmed Substrate Spawner

Red Shoulder Severums are:

BIPARENTAL SUBSTRATE SPAWNERS

They are:

NOT MOUTHBROODERS

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⚠️ Important Heros Breeding Distinction

Some formally described Heros have unusual mouthbrooding behavior.

The Rotkeil form, however, has repeatedly been documented in aquariums:

LAYING EGGS ON SOLID SURFACES

including:

• Flat rocks
• Driftwood
• Smooth décor

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💕 Pair Formation

Severums commonly form:

PAIR BONDS

A compatible male and female may:

• Swim together
• Defend a territory
• Clean a spawning surface
• Become increasingly aggressive toward other fish

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🪨 Spawning Surface

Before spawning, the pair cleans a suitable surface.

Common choices include:

• Flat stone
• Smooth rock
• Driftwood
• Aquarium décor
• Large smooth vertical surface

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🥚 Egg Laying

The female deposits rows of adhesive eggs on the selected surface.

The male follows and fertilizes them.

Both parents then participate in:

BROOD DEFENSE

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👨‍👩‍👧 Biparental Care

Both parents may:

• Fan eggs
• Remove unhealthy eggs
• Defend the spawning area
• Guard developing larvae
• Protect free-swimming fry

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🕳️ Wrigglers May Be Moved

After hatching, parents may move the larvae into:

• Small depressions
• Protected pits
• Sheltered areas

before the fry become free swimming.

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⚠️ First-Time Parents May Eat Eggs

Young or inexperienced pairs may:

• Eat the eggs
• Abandon the clutch
• Eat newly hatched fry

during early breeding attempts.

This does not necessarily mean the pair will never reproduce successfully.

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😠 Breeding Aggression

A pair that is normally calm may become:

VERY TERRITORIAL

while protecting offspring.

If tankmates cannot escape the pair's breeding territory, they may need to be:

SEPARATED

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👶 Fry

Once free swimming, fry can receive:

• Baby brine shrimp
• Fine cichlid foods
• Crushed quality pellets
• Fine prepared fry foods

Feed several small meals while maintaining excellent water quality.

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🧬 Keep Rotkeil Lines Correctly Labeled

Because the exact species identity remains unresolved:

DO NOT RELABEL CAPTIVE-BRED ROTKEIL AS A FORMALLY DESCRIBED SPECIES

Offspring from verified Rotkeil parents should remain labeled:

Heros sp. “Rotkeil”

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⚠️ Avoid Hybridizing Severum Lines

Different Heros and captive Severum varieties may potentially interbreed.

If preserving a true Rotkeil line is important:

DO NOT MIX BREEDING PAIRS WITH OTHER SEVERUM FORMS

such as:

• Gold Severums
• Super Red Severums
• Green Severums
• Other unidentified Heros

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🧬 Captive-Bred Does Not Mean Hybrid

The fact that a Rotkeil is:

CAPTIVE BRED

does not automatically make it a hybrid.

A captive-bred fish from verified Rotkeil parents can remain a legitimate:

Heros sp. “Rotkeil”

line.

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🌎 Conservation Status

Because:

Heros sp. “Rotkeil”

has not yet been formally described as a species, it does not have its own species-level IUCN Red List assessment.

Therefore:

IUCN STATUS: NOT EVALUATED AS AN UNDESCRIBED FORM

is the most accurate wording.

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⚠️ Not Evaluated Does Not Mean Least Concern

Do not automatically assign the conservation status of:

• Heros efasciatus
• Heros severus
• Another Heros

to the Rotkeil form.

Until its taxonomy is resolved:

KEEP ITS CONSERVATION STATUS SEPARATE

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⭐ Why Keep a Red Shoulder Severum?

The Red Shoulder Severum combines:

• 🔴 Brilliant red-orange shoulder coloration
• 🟢 Green-gold body tones
• 🔵 Attractive facial markings
• 🇵🇪 Peruvian Amazon origin
• 📏 Impressive approximately 8–10 inch adult size
• 😌 Relatively peaceful large-cichlid temperament
• 🧠 Intelligent and interactive behavior
• 🍽️ Flexible omnivorous diet
• 🥚 Fascinating substrate-spawning behavior
• 👨‍👩‍👧 Strong biparental care
• 🧬 Interesting undescribed taxonomic status

into an excellent centerpiece cichlid for a properly sized South American aquarium.

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⚠️ Important Considerations

Before purchasing a Red Shoulder Severum:

• Keep the scientific identification as Heros sp. “Rotkeil”.
• The Rotkeil remains scientifically undescribed.
• Do not automatically identify it as Heros severus.
• Do not present Heros efasciatus as a confirmed identification.
• “Rotkeil” means approximately “red wedge.”
• The fish is most strongly associated with the Rio Nanay region of Peru.
• Avoid claiming that the form occurs throughout the entire Amazon Basin.
• This listing is for captive-bred fish.
• Expect approximately 8–10 inches as an adult.
• Provide approximately 75 gallons or larger for one adult.
• Use approximately 90–125+ gallons for pairs or communities.
• Provide substantial swimming space.
• Use driftwood and smooth rocks for structure.
• Live plants may be eaten or damaged.
• Maintain approximately 75–82°F.
• Maintain approximately pH 5.8–7.5.
• Gentle to moderate water movement is appropriate.
• Maintain good filtration and oxygenation.
• Keep ammonia and nitrite at zero.
• Feed a varied omnivorous diet.
• Include plant-based foods regularly.
• Use animal and invertebrate foods as part of a balanced diet.
• Do not feed an exclusively meat-based diet.
• Expect relatively peaceful behavior outside breeding.
• Breeding pairs can become strongly territorial.
• Avoid very small fish that may eventually be swallowed.
• Mature males often develop stronger facial vermiculations and longer fins.
• Sexing is not guaranteed by appearance alone.
• Rotkeil Severums are confirmed substrate spawners.
• They are not mouthbrooders.
• Both parents protect eggs and fry.
• Keep verified Rotkeil breeding lines separate from other Severum varieties when preserving lineage.
• The form does not have its own formal species-level IUCN assessment.
• Never release aquarium fish into natural waterways.

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🧬 Taxonomy

The safest current identification is:

Heros sp. “Rotkeil”

Classification:

• Order: Cichliformes
• Family: Cichlidae
• Subfamily: Cichlinae
• Genus: Heros
• Species: Scientifically Undescribed
• Aquarium Form / Locality Name: “Rotkeil”

Primary aquarium locality association:

RIO NANAY – PERUVIAN AMAZON

near:

IQUITOS, PERU

For this product, use:

Red Shoulder Severum – (Heros sp. “Rotkeil”)

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🧬 Lineage Disclaimer

The exact species identity of the Red Shoulder Severum remains scientifically unresolved.

Preserve:

• The Heros sp. “Rotkeil” identification
• Breeder information
• Locality information when known
• Parentage of captive-bred fish

Do not breed Rotkeil Severums with unrelated Severum varieties and later represent the offspring as pure Rotkeil.

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🚚 Live Fish Shipping

Live fish are professionally packed for safe transport.

Shipping availability depends on:

• Fish size
• Destination
• Weather conditions
• Carrier availability
• Applicable state and local regulations

Larger Red Shoulder Severums may require:

• Larger insulated shipping boxes
• Additional water
• Heavy-duty shipping bags
• Specialized packing
• Airline cargo shipping depending on size and destination

Please review our Shipping & Payment Information and Live Arrival Guarantee / DOA Policy before ordering.

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⚠️ Buyer Responsibility

Customers are responsible for confirming that Heros sp. “Rotkeil” may legally be purchased, possessed, transported, and received in their state or local jurisdiction before ordering.

Never release aquarium fish into natural waterways.