Heros ID

[Alex Odesit]

Recently I purchased 3 Heros, under Severum name.
Does any one know what strain they belongs? Largest from the group about
3 ". Thanks in advance,
Alex

[Michael.NEGRINI]

Hello,

I think it may be Heros sp. Inirida

(edit : but i'm wrong)

[Tom Williams]

i'd go with with normal Heros Notatus (or efasciatus, which is correct now?), therer appears to me to be too much red for sp. Inirida but they are still small. I'm 99& sure they are not Heros Severus which is a mouth brooder and they don't look like rotkeil.
May be easier to tell in a few monts.
Heros are great fish whatever so good luck!

[Estelle]

No, I don't think they are notatus (they should have spots at that size) or efasciatus (should have fading stripes)

They look like mine, which seem to be Heros sp. "Inirida"

What size are they ?

[Alex Odesit]

Guys, thanks for reply, I don'y think it's Heros sp. "Inirida", books says that they have only 8 stripes, when other Heros, including mine have 9.
Also fish fairly young, around 3 inch the largest and they don't achive the full color yet, every day I see the changes though.
I would say this fish to be Heros Notatus, but then why my fish eyes are not red (or may be iris color change while mature?).
Heros Efasciatus also look similar, except again red eyes, but Heros efasciatus (Ucayali strain) has no red in their eyes.
Not sure at this point.
Non for less very interesting, not borring, peacefull fish!
Would you guys post pictures of your Heros? Will be nice to see it.
Thanks,
Alex

[bantamweight1911]

Notatus, IMO

[Estelle]

Yes, you're right, I didn't notice the number of stripes, sorry.

My sp. "Inirida" are young ones, they aren't colorful yet.

heros-efasciat5.jpg (9.43 KiB) Viewed 8200 times

[Florent]

Identification will be easyer in a few month but I think it's a strain of Heros efasciatus

[Alex Odesit]

all, I appreciate for reply, I'll keep this thread updated with new picture of my Sev's getting older.
Estelle, thank you for posting picture of your beautiful fish, they are so gentle and sweet looking, girly fish
I been in the hobby for very long time, my heart was always belongs to large aggressive fish, like Devils; Festae, Jaguars, Pike's, etc.
But something change later, I still enjoy large fish, but the one who is not naturaly born killers, the one I can keep in mix with other cichlids and non-cichlids species.
Please keep posting pictures of your Heros, lets show this fish more to the public and make it more popular and desire.
Alex

[Alex Odesit]

Here some recent pictures of I believe my Heros Appendiculatus.
I think it is, other opinions are welcome.

http://img106.imageshack.us/img106/60/sevor7.jpg

http://img117.imageshack.us/img117/5929/sevfemalevi1.jpg

http://img338.imageshack.us/img338/2424/sevyeatstravky4ps6.jpg

[Michael.NEGRINI]

clearly, it's not the one I mentionned above they were too small.

it's difficult to say, they are still young, but yes they look more like H. appendiculatus.

[Alex Odesit]

Yes, this fish start blooming, nice gold color appearing for the whole body, caramel fins...
First I was doubt it, if I did right thing buying these fish, there were so dull.
Well I am glad now .
Here one more picture of it..
Anyone else here have picture of their Heros to post, lets see it
http://img70.imageshack.us/img70/2402/01bigheroswm7.jpg

[Florent]

clearly, it's not the one I mentionned above they were too small.

it's difficult to say, they are still young, but yes they look more like H. appendiculatus.

I agree but H. appendiculatus is now a synonym of Heros efasciatus. This name was used for Peruvian amazon fishes and even if lower amazon, peruvian and ecuadorian efacsiatus are quite different they all have the same name (maybe this will change in the future).

Another possibility is Santarem efasciatus.

wait and see.

[Alex Odesit]

Floren and Mike, thanks for your feedback, I'll update thread with new pictures in awhile, when fish apperiance will change.
Alex

[Alex Odesit]

several weeks later and I already see the changes.
Alot more gold hue and the bands start getting lighter.
Also, these fish amazing me with the way they court each other, remind me 2 goats, when they fighting on the narrow road:) Just push literally each other with the forhead..

[Alex Odesit]

@update.
Heros Efasciatus or Apendiculatum?

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[Alex Odesit]

@Update,
Buttom picture largest of trio today, seems male Heros Efasciatus to me.
Second picture, despite absence of red facial mask I believe this Heros (not sure what strain) also male, he have the same head/body shape as the one on the first picture.
First picture is the trio, I believe fish on top is Efasciatus female

[Alex Odesit]

@ UPDATE
Thats how these Heros Efasciatus looks now. I believe I have one male and 2 female. Largest male and female around 8" TL, while second female around 1.5" smaller. I would think second large fish is also male, but it completely lock red mask, so base on my research it can't be adult male. I may be wrong, any insights are welcome
Alex

[apistomaster]

A subdominant Cichlid often tones down it's color to avoid appearing to challenge the dominant male. That may be why the males appear differently, assuming they are the same species.

[Alex Odesit]

A subdominant Cichlid often tones down it's color to avoid appearing to challenge the dominant male. That may be why the males appear differently, assuming they are the same species.

I would be agree on your point Larry, but today's subdominant Heros (the one under the question), were the dominate fish most of the time (until larger guy took over), and still have no sign of the red mask even at that period of time.

Alex R.