One species · 2 varieties
Severum
Heros efasciatus
Also known as Heros appendiculatus, Turquoise severum
FreshwaterFish
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 72–84°F
- 22–29°C
- pH
- 6.0–7.5
- Adult size
- 11.8 in
- 30 cm
- Minimum tank
- 65 gal
- 245 L
- Temperament
- Mostly peaceful
- Social behavior
- Social
- Swim level
- Middle
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Breeding
- Hard
- Rarity
- Rare
- Family
- Cichlidae
- Origin
- Brazil
Pick a variety
One setup covers every line on this page: care is the species' care.
Overview
Severums are mostly peaceful for their size but get territorial when breeding, so give them a large tank of around 245 liters or more and choose tankmates that can hold their own without being aggressive. They use the middle of the tank and are omnivores, taking quality pellets, vegetable matter, and occasional live or frozen foods like bloodworms and brine shrimp. Keep the water soft to neutral, pH about 6 to 7.5, in the low to high 20s C. A bonded pair can be kept on their own.
In the wild
Severums come from the Amazon basin in Brazil and nearby parts of South America, in slow rivers and tributaries thick with vegetation, submerged roots, and fallen branches. The water there is soft and slightly acidic. They are large fish, so they need a big tank with open swimming space plus driftwood and sturdy cover. Plant choices should be tough or potted, since severums will dig and may nibble soft plants.
Good to know
This is a cichlid in the family Cichlidae and a medium-large species, reaching up to about 30 cm. The tall, laterally compressed body comes in green, gold, and red-tinged forms. They are substrate spawners that lay eggs on a cleaned flat surface and show strong parental care, guarding and fanning the eggs and watching over the fry. The IUCN lists them as Least Concern.
Did you know
Severums are noticeably smart and aware of their surroundings. Many learn to recognize the person who feeds them, swimming to the front of the tank when that person approaches and readily taking food from the hand once they settle in.
Weekly picks
Tank mates
Every variety on this page wants the same water, so one set of picks fits them all. These picks match on water type, temperature, pH, size and temperament.
Giant river hatchetfish
Triportheus rotundatus
Freshwater9.8 in (25 cm) · 79 gal (300 L)73–82°F (23–28°C)
Gallagher's catfish
Rhinodoras gallagheri
Freshwater5.9 in (15 cm) · 70 gal (265 L)73–82°F (23–28°C)
Discus
Symphysodon aequifasciatus
Freshwater7.9 in (20 cm) · 65 gal (245 L)79–90°F (26–32°C)
Narrow hatchetfish
Triportheus angulatus
Freshwater9.8 in (25 cm) · 79 gal (300 L)73–82°F (23–28°C)
Ghost pleco
Ancistomus snethlageae
Freshwater8.7 in (22 cm) · 66 gal (250 L)77–84°F (25–29°C)
Festive sharkminnow barb
Labiobarbus festivus
Freshwater7.9 in (20 cm) · 66 gal (250 L)73–82°F (23–28°C)
Common questions
What size tank does a Severum need?
A Severum needs at least 65 gal (245 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.
What temperature and pH does a Severum need?
A Severum is comfortable at 72–84°F (22–29°C) with a pH of 6.0–7.5.
How big does a Severum get?
An adult Severum reaches about 11.8 in (30 cm).
Related species
11.8 in (30 cm)58 gal (220 L)72–84°F (22–29°C)Spotted severum
Heros notatus
11.8 in (30 cm) · 58 gal (220 L)
7.9 in (20 cm)106 gal (400 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)Eyespot severum
Heros liberifer
7.9 in (20 cm) · 106 gal (400 L)
7.9 in (20 cm)75 gal (285 L)79–86°F (26–30°C)True severum
Heros severus
7.9 in (20 cm) · 75 gal (285 L)
11.8 in (30 cm)119 gal (450 L)77–86°F (25–30°C)Pantano cichlid
Cincelichthys pearsei
11.8 in (30 cm) · 119 gal (450 L)
11.8 in (30 cm)74 gal (280 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)Venustus cichlid
Nimbochromis venustus
11.8 in (30 cm) · 74 gal (280 L)
11 in (28 cm)92 gal (350 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)Tailbar cichlid
Vieja hartwegi
11 in (28 cm) · 92 gal (350 L)