Links for the genus Heros??

[David R]

I'm looking for a website/article on the genus with accurate photos and names of the different species.

Is wiki correct in saying there are only four described species of the genus? H. efasciatus, H. notatus, H. severus, and H. spurius.

I've read a couple of articles suggesting that the common "green severum" is most likely a hybrid of H. efasciatus, given that they have been bred in captivity for close to 100 years.

There seems to be a few people keen on the genus here, perhaps if no such article as the one I'm seeking exists someone should compile one. It would be good to have a resource with accurate names and photographs of the species and the different varieties.

 

[Snowflake311]

I found this topic on another forum.

 

[David R]

Was there supposed to be a link there or something?

 

[Snowflake311]

I would but it's rude to put links to other forums.

 

[David R]

Eh? Its not like they're seriously competing for membership, I'm sure I'm not the only one here who browses more than one forum.

If you weren't going to post the link then why post at all? Perhaps you could PM me the link?

 

[Snowflake311]

Sorry now I can't find the link now. This is the way I see it.

We have
Heros Efasciatus
Heros Notatus
Heros Severum
Heros Rotkeil
Heros Appendiculatus

Then you have our "severums" you see in trade that have been bred for many many years. We have our line bred Gold and our mysterious Reds Never found in the wild. These Tank raised Heros are no longer pure and have been mixed some where along the way with other Heros mainly they are H.Efasciatus mutts.

ALSO in the wild every Heros even is it is a Efasciatus or Notatus differ a little in color from place to place. You might catch a Efasiatus that looks a bit more blue in one river. Then catch a Efasciatus in another river that is more green. Same type of fish but a little different depending on where it is found. Now I am not 100% sure about this but that's what i have gathered from reading up on the topic.

maybe someone that knows more will jump in and help.

If i come across the link I will post it next time.

 

[Snowflake311]

I found another

Heros sp. Santarem

So there are more then just 4. but they are not commonly seen and are often lumped into on group because they look a like.

Look here.
http://www.amazon-exotic-import.de/Gallerie/Cichliden/INDEX.HTM

Scroll down to H and you will see 8.

 

[David R]

Thanks for the link, there's some beautiful fish there, but what I was after is more something along the lines of this but for the genus Heros, detailing the described species (varients and "Sp's" would be nice too).

Sorry now I can't find the link now. This is the way I see it.

We have
Heros Efasciatus
Heros Notatus
Heros Severum
Heros Rotkeil
Heros Appendiculatus

As you said yourself, there are many (countless?) reigonal varieties and yet-to-be-described "Sp's", like Rotkeil, which you have included in that list even though it isn't an actual species. You have left H. spurius off that list too, is that no longer a current name?

 

[Snowflake311]

I don't think you will find profiles on these rare heros. because well not many are kept in aquariums or are too new to the hobby. I will some times find profiles of rare fish but In a differant language.

All heros seem to be very simular in needs, size, and temperment. Sure some are slightly bigger then others and some might be a little more aggressive. But for the most part they will be very simular.


Here is a good read
http://www.apistogramma.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=48&Itemid=57

 

[David R]

Yeah that is a good article. At the very least pics of the four described species would be good to see, google is pretty much useless in that regard...