Heros sp. 'Rotkeil' / Red Shouldered Severum Guarding Eggs

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notho2000

notho2000

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MFK Member
Aug 16, 2010
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winnipeg, canada
I have two adult pairs of Heros sp. 'Rotkeil' in a newly set up 150G tank, along with Heros severus, Heros efasciatus 'Gold' , Mesonauta insignis, Caquetaia spectabilis, and Laetacara thayeri. Until now, I have had the males separated from the females since I didn't have a tank available large enough to house spawning pairs and was short on space to raise more fry. Both pairs have laid eggs a couple of times since I set the tank up about a month ago.This is the first video that I have taken of a breeding pair with eggs. They chose a very secure location, the eggs being deposited on a round, pinkish colored rock nestled between two large pieces of driftwood and backed by a thicket of plants. When in breeding dress, the red coloration is suppressed and they turn dark, pretty much identical to Heros efasciatus. I haven't decided yet whether to keep any of this spawn. If I do, it will be just a few.
[video=youtube_share;-wKX81Gn7E0]http://youtu.be/-wKX81Gn7E0[/video]
 
See, to me they still look like a turquoise when they breed. I know Kullander condensed the turquoise into the greens ... but rotties and turquoise share the same smaller size, same breeding coloration, and their locations are seperated from greens by a fair amount of miles/km. I would think the turquoise and rotties would be just racial differences of the same species, separate from the greens imo.
 
Besides the great condition of your fish and tanks I'm always inspired by some of you combinations. How does the spectabilis behave? I have similar stock but have always heard they're too rough.
 
darth pike said:
See, to me they still look like a turquoise when they breed. I know Kullander condensed the turquoise into the greens ... but rotties and turquoise share the same smaller size, same breeding coloration, and their locations are seperated from greens by a fair amount of miles/km. I would think the turquoise and rotties would be just racial differences of the same species, separate from the greens imo.
Click to expand...

They looks like 'turquoise' to me as well.

bbortko said:
Besides the great condition of your fish and tanks I'm always inspired by some of you combinations. How does the spectabilis behave? I have similar stock but have always heard they're too rough.
Click to expand...

The 'spectabilis' are recent additions. I have four WC of them 4-5" TL. They are quite aggressive with one another, but are very passive with heterospecifics. Once they put on some size and become sexually mature, things will change but for now, they are "on best behavior". I also have 'kraussi' and the 'spectabilis' are very similar to them in temperament. The adult 'kraussi' at 10" can more than take care of themselves.
 
Sorry about the sev rant, I just don't understand his thinking on that one.

Of course they look great, I just ran out of adjectives to use on your fish without repeating myself. ;)
 
A second pair of rotkeils spawned today, in the same 150G, about 12" (30 cm) from the pair that spawned yesterday. Here's a brief video of the two pairs going 'head-to-head. They're definitely aware of one another's presence. Check the "fire in their eyes".
[video=youtube_share;A_QiVggjw4U]http://youtu.be/A_QiVggjw4U[/video]
 
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