RED SHOULDER SEVERUM (Heros rotkeil) – For Sale in Canada

The Red Shoulder Severum (Heros rotkeil) is a beautiful South American cichlid known for its golden-yellow body, distinctive red-orange shoulder coloration, and peaceful personality compared with many larger cichlid species. Also known as the Redhead Severum or Rotkeil Severum, this variety is highly sought after by aquarists who want a colorful, intelligent, and relatively peaceful centerpiece fish.

At Monster Aquarium Canada, the Red Shoulder Severum is an excellent choice for aquarists building a South American community aquarium or a dedicated Severum setup.

Red Shoulder Severum Species Overview

Scientific Name

Heros rotkeil

Common Names

• Red Shoulder Severum
• Redhead Severum
• Rotkeil Severum
• Red Shoulder Cichlid
• Rotkeil Cichlid

Origin

The Red Shoulder Severum is associated with South American freshwater habitats, particularly the Amazon and Orinoco-related regions represented in the aquarium trade. Severums naturally inhabit relatively slow-moving waters, areas around submerged roots, vegetation, branches, and other aquatic structure.

Appearance and Coloration

The Red Shoulder Severum is prized primarily for its spectacular coloration.

As the fish matures, it can develop:

• Golden-yellow to orange body coloration
• Strong red-orange coloration around the shoulder and head
• Red markings extending along the upper body
• Turquoise or blue-green facial highlights
• Dark vertical barring
• Long dorsal and anal fins
• A deep, rounded cichlid body shape

Color intensity can vary according to genetics, age, diet, water quality, social environment, and breeding condition.

Aquarium Setup

Recommended Tank Size

For an adult Red Shoulder Severum, a 75-gallon aquarium or larger is recommended.

A 90–125 gallon aquarium can be an even better choice when keeping a pair or creating a community aquarium with several larger South American species.

Substrate

Suitable substrates include:

• Fine sand
• Smooth gravel
• Rounded natural substrate

Severums may occasionally move substrate while exploring or preparing a spawning site, so avoid sharp materials.

Decorations

Create a natural South American environment using:

• Driftwood
• Smooth rocks
• Roots
• Caves
• Aquarium-safe decorations

Leave plenty of open swimming space in addition to sheltered areas.

Water Parameters

Maintain stable, clean freshwater:

• Temperature: approximately 24–28°C
• pH: approximately 6.0–7.5
• Hardness: soft to moderately hard
• Ammonia: 0 ppm
• Nitrite: 0 ppm
• Nitrate: preferably kept low

Red Shoulder Severums generally adapt well to aquarium conditions when water quality is stable and maintenance is consistent.

Feeding the Red Shoulder Severum

Red Shoulder Severums are omnivorous and benefit from a varied diet containing quality plant and protein sources.

Recommended Foods

Offer:

• High-quality cichlid pellets
• Cichlid flakes
• Spirulina-based foods
• Vegetables such as zucchini or peas
• Frozen mysis shrimp
• Brine shrimp
• Bloodworms
• Other appropriately sized frozen foods

A varied diet helps maintain healthy growth and supports the vivid coloration for which this variety is known.

Avoid feeding excessive amounts of high-protein food. Severums naturally benefit from a balanced diet containing plant matter.

Behavior and Temperament

Compared with many Central American cichlids, the Red Shoulder Severum is generally peaceful to moderately territorial.

It can become more territorial during:

• Pair formation
• Breeding
• Feeding
• Establishment of a preferred territory

Although generally less aggressive than species such as Red Terrors or Trimac Cichlids, Severums are still cichlids and should be kept with appropriately sized tank mates.

Tank Mates

Red Shoulder Severums can work well in larger South American community aquariums.

Potential tank mates may include similarly sized and appropriately tempered:

• Severums
• Geophagus
• Larger peaceful cichlids
• Larger peaceful characins
• Corydoras species in suitable setups
• Plecos
• Larger peaceful catfish

Avoid extremely small fish that could potentially be viewed as food.

Providing adequate swimming space, hiding areas, and multiple territories can help reduce competition.

Plants and Aquascaping

Severums may interact with live plants, including digging or damaging delicate vegetation.

If you want a planted Severum aquarium, consider sturdy plants attached to:

• Driftwood
• Rocks
• Heavy decorations

Hardy plant varieties are generally a better choice than delicate rooted plants.

Growth and Color Development

Young Red Shoulder Severums often look quite different from mature adults.

As they grow, the body becomes deeper and the characteristic red shoulder coloration becomes increasingly prominent.

Adult coloration can be influenced by:

• Genetics
• Nutrition
• Water quality
• Aquarium environment
• Stress
• Age
• Social conditions

Providing excellent care allows the fish to develop its best possible coloration.

Filtration and Aquarium Maintenance

Severums require good filtration because they are relatively large-bodied fish and can produce considerable waste.

Recommended filtration includes:

• Canister filters
• Sump filtration
• Large HOB filters
• High-capacity biological filtration

Perform regular partial water changes and remove uneaten food and waste. Strong biological filtration combined with consistent maintenance helps keep the aquarium stable.

Breeding Red Shoulder Severums

Red Shoulder Severums can form pairs and breed in captivity.

When breeding, the pair may select a flat rock, piece of driftwood, or another smooth surface for spawning.

A breeding aquarium should provide:

• Flat spawning surfaces
• Good water quality
• Stable temperature
• Low stress
• Sufficient territory

Parents may become more territorial while protecting eggs and fry.

Why Choose a Red Shoulder Severum?

The Red Shoulder Severum is an excellent choice for aquarists looking for:

• Beautiful red-orange shoulder coloration
• A large but manageable South American cichlid
• A relatively peaceful temperament
• Intelligent and interactive behavior
• A spectacular centerpiece fish
• Compatibility with larger peaceful community fish
• Interesting breeding behavior

Its combination of color, personality, and comparatively peaceful temperament makes it one of the most attractive Severum varieties for a community aquarium.

Buy Red Shoulder Severum in Canada

Looking to buy a Red Shoulder Severum in Canada?

Monster Aquarium Canada offers freshwater aquarium livestock for Canadian hobbyists and cichlid enthusiasts. The Red Shoulder Severum is an excellent option for aquarists looking for a colorful South American cichlid with impressive adult coloration.

Before purchasing, make sure your aquarium provides adequate swimming space and that existing fish are appropriately sized and compatible.

Livestock availability, specimen sizes, and inventory can change, so confirm current availability before ordering.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How big does a Red Shoulder Severum get?

Adult Red Shoulder Severums can reach approximately 7–10 inches, depending on genetics, sex, nutrition, and aquarium conditions.

2. Are Red Shoulder Severums aggressive?

They are generally peaceful to moderately territorial, especially compared with many large Central American cichlids. Aggression can increase during breeding.

3. What size tank does a Red Shoulder Severum need?

A 75-gallon aquarium or larger is recommended for an adult, while larger tanks are preferable for pairs and community setups.

4. What does a Red Shoulder Severum eat?

They benefit from a varied omnivorous diet consisting of quality cichlid foods, spirulina, vegetables, shrimp, and other appropriately sized frozen foods.

5. Can I buy Red Shoulder Severum in Canada?

Availability varies according to current livestock. Check Monster Aquarium Canada for current availability, specimen sizes, and Canadian shipping information.