A large, peaceful cichlid distinguished by its rounded body and vibrant green, gold, or turquoise colors. Appreciated for adaptability, calm nature, and elegant presence.
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A large, peaceful cichlid distinguished by its rounded body and vibrant green, gold, or turquoise colors. Appreciated for adaptability, calm nature, and elegant presence.
Oval, laterally compressed body; colors range from green and gold to turquoise, with faint vertical bars. Fins rounded and often tinged with red or orange. Juveniles show more prominent bars and may have spangled scales.
8–10 years (up to 15 with excellent care)
Omnivorous; high-quality cichlid pellets/flakes as staple, supplemented with live/frozen foods (bloodworms, brine shrimp), sliced vegetables (zucchini, peas, spinach), and occasional fruit.
Severums combine beauty, size, and relatively peaceful behavior. Suitable for moderately experienced keepers, especially those seeking a centerpiece fish for planted, spacious tanks.
Intermediate; needs large, well-maintained aquariums with good filtration and regular water changes.
55 gallons for one adult; larger tanks (75+ gallons) for groups or mixed communities
6.0 to 7.0
4–15 dGH
75–85°F (24–29°C)
6–8 inches (15–20 cm), some strains up to 12 inches (30 cm)
Uaru, Silver Dollars, Geophagus, Angelfish, peaceful catfish (Plecos), non-aggressive cichlids of similar size.
Large aggressive cichlids (Oscars, Flowerhorn, Red Texas), small delicate species, aggressive fin-nippers.
Heros efasciatus
Cichlidae
Native to South America (Amazon basin, rivers of Brazil, Colombia, Peru)
Peaceful, can be kept singly or in groups; forms pairs during breeding, otherwise loosely social.
Feed 2–3 times daily with a mix of commercial cichlid foods, vegetables, and animal protein, avoiding overfeeding.
Substrate spawner; pairs lay eggs on rocks or broad leaves. Both parents guard eggs and fry, exhibiting strong parental care.
Pairs lay 100–1000 eggs on flat rocks or leaves, which hatch in 2–3 days. Both parents fan and guard fry, which should be fed infusoria or powdered fry foods.
pH: 6.0–7.0, Temperature: 75–85°F (24–29°C), Hardness: 4–15 dGH, Nitrate: <50 ppm
Ich, Hexamita (hole-in-the-head), fin rot, and fungal infections. Prevent with clean water, stable temperature, and a nutritious diet.
Peaceful but can be mildly territorial during spawning. Gets along in community tanks with robust tankmates of similar size.
Generally peaceful with occasional territorial behavior at breeding. Enjoys exploring, digging, and interacting with their environment.
Severums are large South American cichlids with attractive colors and gentle demeanor. Originating from slow, murky rivers, they thrive in large, well-planted aquariums with subdued lighting, soft sand, and plentiful hiding spots. They are hardy and adapt readily but need stable parameters and regular water changes. Severums show fascinating social behavior and breed easily in aquaria, but fry survival is best in isolated conditions due to their popularity as targets for other fish.