The gold severum is what is known as a “leucistic” version of a normal animal. While it is often mistakenly referred to as an “albino,” the gold severum is definitely not an albino. Albino animals have reduced melanin – leucistic animals have a reduction in all pigmentation. Albino animals have pink eyes – leucistic animals have normal colored eyes. Beyond that brief perhaps confusing diversion, what is most important is simply that gold severums are spectacularly beautiful fish. While the normal wild form of the severum is basically a green/brown fish with speckles all over the body, and seven or eight wide black bands running vertically on the body of the fish. Gold severums are a creamy golden/yellow color, with red spots all over the body. Vertical lines do appear as fish age, and when they are in spawning attire.