Severum

Heros efasciatus

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
Origin: Brazil
Family: Cichlidae

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.