Severum questions

[sylentmode]

Ok, so I have 2 rotkiels or "red-head(ed)/shoulder" severums.

Well I was in the petsmart today and saw a turquoise severum. It was really young maybe an inch and a half long. But it looked exactly like my red shoulders.

Are these names arbitrary? or are the actually different breeds? I've also seen the Peruvian blue severums which also look very similar when young.

Furthermore, I've seen pictures of "red shoulder" severums that were silver, not yellow.

Could someone help clue me in on this a little more?

Thanks,
Sylentmode

 

[SinisterKisses]

Well, in relation to your rotkiels and the turquoise severum in the store, yes, they are two different species. However, turquoise and green, and rotkiel severums look almost identical as juveniles. How big are yours? If they're still babies, then they should change in appearance as they mature.

 

[sylentmode]

they are about 3" right now, pics are here http://www.myfishtank.net/forum/rate-my-tank-freshwater/44392-oscar-red-shoulders-pleco.html

When I got them they were about an inch and a half I guess.

thanks for the info

 

[SinisterKisses]

Okay, well, the colour makes it hard to tell for sure, but I think I might be able to see some red starting around the gill plate. You should see them start to get the red pretty quickly I would think.

 

[sylentmode]

I stopped by the store that I got them at (they still have about 30 of these guys from 4 months ago). Most of them are smaller than mine, I only noticed about 2 showing the red color so far......but that is pretty promising.

thanks!

 

[sylentmode]

ok....brand new question.

While I'm prepping my new tank, I've been thinking about getting a geophagus.

I asked the guy at the fish store....and he said that no doubt, my oscar would kill the geophagus. Would you guys agree?

If I got a geophagus the same size as my severums?

 

[Cichlid-Man]

I'm not very experienced in the species but i'd disagree with him. However, i don't think you will have a big enough tank (even a 75) to house all these large fish once they reach that size. Geos can get pretty big.

 

[Fuzz16]

i did a bit of research and i would say no. they are more community species and dont do well with aggressive fish, specifically mentioned was an oscar.

 

[sylentmode]

thanks guys

 

[SinisterKisses]

No way. I can't imagine my eartheaters in with an oscar, they'd be shredded in no time I'm sure. And yes, they do get quite large, so I think you'd best leave it be.