Which severum variant is the most peaceful or aggressive?
- Thread starter FINWIN
- Start date
I’ve only kept turquoise, but from what I’ve read they are on the more aggressive side (mine is one of the nicest fish I’ve owned), as goldens/reds are more docile.
Most severums are very mild mannered compared to other cichlids though.
Most severums are very mild mannered compared to other cichlids though.
I’m not sure what you mean by “striped Hero” as all Heros have stripes. There are six described species and multiple recognized undescribed species. The greens, golds, and red spotted/super reds are all descended from the same fish and are usually mutts. Golds are xanthic fish that appeared as a genetic anomaly in hobby-bred greens several decades ago. Then super reds/red spotted were created by line-breeding golds.
All Heros vary in personality. Some are pushy, some are peaceful. It’s very dependent on tank size, number and type of tankmates, etc. But also, each individual fish is different.
The largest and most aggressive species I have kept is true Heros severus which gets sold as “Curare” and “Red Tiger.” They can be very rough on each other and are sometimes nippy with tankmates.
Otherwise you don’t see much difference behavior-wise in the species. I actually think you see more aggression overall in wild-caught fish than a fish that has been tank-bred or farm-bred for generations. I’ve had golds and red spotted so stupid that they have no urge to breed. Pretty, but much like pure-bred dogs they sometimes have their natural instinct bred right out of them.
All Heros vary in personality. Some are pushy, some are peaceful. It’s very dependent on tank size, number and type of tankmates, etc. But also, each individual fish is different.
The largest and most aggressive species I have kept is true Heros severus which gets sold as “Curare” and “Red Tiger.” They can be very rough on each other and are sometimes nippy with tankmates.
Otherwise you don’t see much difference behavior-wise in the species. I actually think you see more aggression overall in wild-caught fish than a fish that has been tank-bred or farm-bred for generations. I’ve had golds and red spotted so stupid that they have no urge to breed. Pretty, but much like pure-bred dogs they sometimes have their natural instinct bred right out of them.
Was curious because I might be in the market for anotther severum. The one I had (blue) was a major a-hole once he got past 6 inches. My Oscar put an end to it by biting his head.
I saw a picture of some sevs that were tan/dark tiger stripe called stiped heroes in the description. I've heard of red shoulder but now apparently there are orange shoulder too!
My turquoise is an absolute turd. Got him a few years back as a "rescue" because my girlfriend was so upset at how beat up he was at a fish store in a tank with a green terror.. Well, now he thinks he's king in the castle 
Orange shoulder and red shoulder are trade names for the same fish, Heros sp. rotkeil.
Good points already. I've had many, nearly all have been peaceful fish for me, including wild; even when breeding mine have been on the mild side. But I've seen them be aggressive when someone crowds them, or in a tank that's too small. That said, I've yet to keep H. severus-- and like many cichlid species it's possible to get a surly individual fish.