Heros (genus)

Heros
Banded Cichlid (H. severus)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Actinopterygii
Order:	Perciformes
Family:	Cichlidae
Subfamily:	Cichlasomatinae
Tribe:	Heroini
Genus:	Heros Heckel, 1840
Type species
Heros severus Heckel, 1840

Heros is a genus of cichlids native to rivers in the Amazon and Orinoco basins in South America. These were often previously included in the "catch-all" genus Cichlasoma.

Most commonly encountered in the aquarium trade is the Severum, or Banded cichlid, H. severus, available commercially in its gold coloration as well as the wild-type green. It is unclear whether aquarium severums are actually Heros severus or whether they are Heros efasciatus hybrids. Fish belonging to the genus Heros are distinguishable by their bulbous "Dell 'Abate" lips and sedentary demeanor, especially after eating.

Species

There are currently four recognized species in this genus:^[1]

• Heros efasciatus Heckel, 1840
• Heros notatus (Jardine, 1843)
• Heros severus Heckel, 1840 (Banded cichlid)
• Heros spurius Heckel, 1840

References

Wikispecies has information related to: Heros

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Heros (genus).