Red Neck Rotkeil Severum Heros Rotkeil 5cm.
Image for illustration purposes only. Exact colours, patterns, and size may vary between individuals.
Delivered alive, guaranteed
Live fish delivery is £20 per order, delivered Thursday, Friday or Saturday, arriving before 1:00pm on the day you choose at checkout. Packed by aquatic specialists and shipped overnight with a dedicated livestock courier, every fish is covered by our Live Arrival Guarantee with automatic refunds. See How Live Fish Delivery Works for full details.
When will my fish arrive?
| Order placed | Delivery day |
|---|---|
| Up to Monday 11:00am | Thursday (that week) |
| Monday after 11:00am – Tuesday 11:00am | Friday (that week) |
| Tuesday after 11:00am – Wednesday 11:00am | Saturday (that week) |
| Wednesday after 11:00am – Sunday (any time) | Thursday (following week) |
Overview
The Rotkeil or Red Neck Severum is a striking undescribed Heros species, distinguished by a bold red-orange wash across the head, shoulders and gill covers on an olive-green, disc-shaped body. Adults develop rich reticulated cheek markings and become confident, interactive fish. Known from the Amazon near Iquitos in Peru, it suits keepers of larger, peaceful South American communities.
- Adult Size: Around 20–25 cm (8–10 in); males larger
- Lifespan: 10 years or more
Origin
- Native to: Amazon basin near Iquitos, northern Peru
- Habitat: Slow river margins thick with vegetation and tree roots
Feeding
- Diet: Omnivorous, needs regular vegetable matter
- Preferred Foods: Cichlid pellets, flake, bloodworm, krill, chopped prawns, blanched spinach
- Feeding Habits: Once or twice daily; alternate protein and vegetable foods
Tank Mates
- Best with: Medium to large peaceful fish, larger tetras, plecs, other severums
- Avoid: Small fish that fit in the mouth, aggressive cichlids
Aggression & Behaviour
- Temperament: Easy-going for a large cichlid
- Territoriality: Becomes protective and pushy when a pair is spawning
Experience Level
- Difficulty: Beginner to Intermediate
- Challenges: Eats soft plants; needs a large tank as it grows
Water Parameters
- Water Type: Freshwater, soft and slightly acidic
- Temperature: 24–28°C (75–82°F)
- pH: 6.0–7.0
- Hardness: 1–12 dGH
- Flow: Slow to moderate
- Tank Size: Minimum 250 litres; at least 120 cm long; larger for a group
Final Notes
The red colouring intensifies with age and good diet, so these juveniles reward patience, but they grow quickly and need a spacious, well-filtered tank with gentle flow and dim to medium lighting. Provide sand, driftwood, caves and tough plants such as Anubias, because soft-leaved plants will be eaten. Males show stronger red cheek reticulation and longer fins; pairs spawn on flat slate and guard the fry. Also sold as the Red Shoulder Severum.
Please Note
The livestock that is sold on our online site is not held in store at our Birchwood Aquatic Centre shop. Species sold at the Birchwood Aquatic Centre physical store may differ from ones available to order to your door.
Frequently Asked Questions
In insulated boxes designed for live transport, packed by aquatic specialists,
overnight with a licensed live-animal courier, arriving before 1pm.
It is covered by our Live Arrival Guarantee.
Photograph it within 4 hours of delivery, email info@birchwoodaquaticcentre.co.uk with your order number, and the refund is processed automatically. The cover continues for 7 days after arrival.
Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. You pick your day at checkout; please choose a day someone is home.
Yes. One basket, one checkout; the fish arrive with the specialist courier and the rest of your order ships as normal.
We can deliver to UK mainland only for live fish.
Follow the five-minute acclimatisation steps in our When Your Fish Arrive guide: float the bags, add tank water gradually, net the fish in, lights low, feed tomorrow.