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Heros liberifer
from Modern Aquarium
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Text and Photos by Dan Radebaugh
Up until 2014 H. liberifer was incorrectly believed to be the previously defined H. severus by Heckel in 1840. Heros severus can be differentiated by having a partially formed band unlike other Heros as well as having red shoulders. This band was originally defined by Heckel, but was dismissed as an anomaly by Kullander (1986). With the finding of the true H. severus, Staek & Shindler officially classified the liberifer so as to make room for the true H. severus. By the way, these days I find that any online search for H. severus is more likely to bring me to Harry Potter than to any fish.
Delayed, biparental mouthbrooders, H. liberifer lay their adhesive eggs on a substrate and guard the eggs until they hatch. At that time the female takes the newly hatched fry into her mouth. She will not release them until they become free swimming. Past that first release point, both parents “mouthbrood” the young, sharing the responsibilities. This allows the parents to keep feeding. H. liberifer can be distinguished from other Heros species by the small spots that form horizontal lines across the lower half of the body. Other traits are a caudal spot in adults, as well as generally narrower lips than other species.
H. liberifer is native to lentic (still waters) habitats, especially flooded forests, in the upper and middle Orinoco basin in South America.
Compared to other severums I have kept, I would have to say that these are rather shy and really appreciate hideouts. Also, if you have more than one male in the tank there will be shredded fins, so have a plan. If there are other fish in the tank of a size that could eat the fry, the parents are likely to panic and eat the fry themselves, so I suggest not tempting fate. Even in a tank with no other fish the parents will occasionally squabble, so you’re still likely to see some wounds from time to time. Unlike other Heros I have kept, these are not so glad to see me when I approach the tank; they’re more likely to head for their hideouts.
