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AquaAlex1993
Guest
On this week’s Freshwater fish profile, I am going to talk about a cichlid that hails from South America. It is a cichlid that is found living with Discus, Angelfish, Festivums and apistogramas in the Amazon Rivers of South America. It is a very popular cichlid in the Aquarium hobby and has soared in popular over the last few decades. The cichlid I am talking about is of course the Severum Cichlid. The green severum has evolved into many different variations. Now there is the gold severum, rotkeil severum, red spotted gold severum are just 3 examples of the different severums labeled as ‘’GREEN’’ Severum.
Severums are a favorite of mine because I like to watch them grow up and mature. They start off kind of pale as juveniles and then look stunning as adults and they each have their own separate personalitys some may be aggressive and fit in well with aggressive cichlids yet some are quite peaceful and can do well with angelfish. I have kept both types of severums and have enjoyed them both.
Let’s find out about green severums now!
Green Severum Cichlid ( Heros Efasciatus)
Common Names: Green Severum, Common Severum, Banded Cichlid
Scientific Name: Heros Efasciatus
Origin: South America, Widespread throughout the Amazon main channel and Rio Solimoes and also recorded from the Rio Xingu.
Habitat: Slow moving rivers, tributaries and floodplain lakes. It’s most abundant in deeper, calm waters with a lot of submerged tree roots and branches. Found with other South American cichlids including Crencichla, baby Cichla peacock bass, Angelfish, discus and more.
Full Grown Size: Up to 12’’
Recommended Tank Size: 75 gallons and up. The larger the better.
Water Conditions: Severums are very hardy and can withstand low ph to high ph. A PH of 5.5 to 7.0 is ideally for severums and most South American cichlids. Temperature is between 72-84 degrees F.
Tank Set-up: Severums are not a picky fish. They would look great in a bio-tope aquarium with driftwood and sand and kept with other South American fish. But they will do fine in almost any tank with any decor and any substrate.’
Diet: Severums are omnivores which means they eat meat. They are however NOT picky eaters and will eat just about anything. I recommend feeding them market shrimp, brine shrimp and krill for the potential to bring out good coloration. A good quality pellet and flake food is also well appreciated. Bloodworms and Blackworms are great pre spawning food.
For quality fish food check out our supporter www.yourfishstuff.com
Tankmates: Severums aren’t as aggressive as dovii or other cichlids of that nature. They can be kind of docile and friendly. However, some can take on an aggressive behavior. However, it is of my personal experience and opinion that severums that are kept with aggressive cichlids they learn that behavior from having to defend themselves. I personally recommend keeping these with other docile and semi-aggressive fish. Good tank mates include angelfish, chocolate cichlids, festivums, uaru, oscars, larger tetras such as Metynnis, Myleus, Semaprochilodus, and leporinus , large barbs, fancy plecos, pimodella catfish, etc. Of course I would NOT recommend keeping these with fish that can be eaten quickly.
How to Sex: Male is bigger, has markings on gill covers and may develop nuchal hump and extensions to dorsal and anal fins.
Breeding: If you aim to breed severums, it is a good idea to buy a group of young fish and grow them on. From this group a pair should form naturally. Spawning occurs on a flat stone or similar area, which is then guarded by both parents until the eggs hatch. Both parents will mouthbrood the fry. The fry are fairly large and can be fed on brineshrimp and powedered food.
Aqua Alex’s Comments: Severums are one of my favorite cichlids because they are differently shaped than most cichlids. They share the odd shape with angelfish, discus, uaru, and festivum. Only cichlids from South America to my knowledge have this unique look. Back in the day way before my time, there was only one specie of severum available and it is the severum we now of today as green severum. However, today Heros notatus and other Heros species are available in the aquarium hobby. As mentioned earlier in this blog, the variety of green severum has evolved. Now we have gold, red spotted gold and now some fish stores are labeling severums as red spotted green. I personally recommend the severum cichlid to people because they offer something that other’s don’t. They have a good personality, are able to defend themselves if they need to, can be docile, and are a fun fish to keep. If you want to add some color to your tank think of adding a red spotted severum or a rotkeil severum.
If you haven’t got a severum consider getting one, you will not regret it I promise.
Thank you for reading this week’s freshwater fish profile. Up next will be the red belly pacu another favorite fish of mine.
Enjoy and have a nice day.
Thank you!
Sincerely,
Aqua Alex Cardinale
Host of Exotic Tropical Fish with Aqua Alex
Severums are a favorite of mine because I like to watch them grow up and mature. They start off kind of pale as juveniles and then look stunning as adults and they each have their own separate personalitys some may be aggressive and fit in well with aggressive cichlids yet some are quite peaceful and can do well with angelfish. I have kept both types of severums and have enjoyed them both.
Let’s find out about green severums now!
Green Severum Cichlid ( Heros Efasciatus)
Common Names: Green Severum, Common Severum, Banded Cichlid
Scientific Name: Heros Efasciatus
Origin: South America, Widespread throughout the Amazon main channel and Rio Solimoes and also recorded from the Rio Xingu.
Habitat: Slow moving rivers, tributaries and floodplain lakes. It’s most abundant in deeper, calm waters with a lot of submerged tree roots and branches. Found with other South American cichlids including Crencichla, baby Cichla peacock bass, Angelfish, discus and more.
Full Grown Size: Up to 12’’
Recommended Tank Size: 75 gallons and up. The larger the better.
Water Conditions: Severums are very hardy and can withstand low ph to high ph. A PH of 5.5 to 7.0 is ideally for severums and most South American cichlids. Temperature is between 72-84 degrees F.
Tank Set-up: Severums are not a picky fish. They would look great in a bio-tope aquarium with driftwood and sand and kept with other South American fish. But they will do fine in almost any tank with any decor and any substrate.’
Diet: Severums are omnivores which means they eat meat. They are however NOT picky eaters and will eat just about anything. I recommend feeding them market shrimp, brine shrimp and krill for the potential to bring out good coloration. A good quality pellet and flake food is also well appreciated. Bloodworms and Blackworms are great pre spawning food.
For quality fish food check out our supporter www.yourfishstuff.com
Tankmates: Severums aren’t as aggressive as dovii or other cichlids of that nature. They can be kind of docile and friendly. However, some can take on an aggressive behavior. However, it is of my personal experience and opinion that severums that are kept with aggressive cichlids they learn that behavior from having to defend themselves. I personally recommend keeping these with other docile and semi-aggressive fish. Good tank mates include angelfish, chocolate cichlids, festivums, uaru, oscars, larger tetras such as Metynnis, Myleus, Semaprochilodus, and leporinus , large barbs, fancy plecos, pimodella catfish, etc. Of course I would NOT recommend keeping these with fish that can be eaten quickly.
How to Sex: Male is bigger, has markings on gill covers and may develop nuchal hump and extensions to dorsal and anal fins.
Breeding: If you aim to breed severums, it is a good idea to buy a group of young fish and grow them on. From this group a pair should form naturally. Spawning occurs on a flat stone or similar area, which is then guarded by both parents until the eggs hatch. Both parents will mouthbrood the fry. The fry are fairly large and can be fed on brineshrimp and powedered food.
Aqua Alex’s Comments: Severums are one of my favorite cichlids because they are differently shaped than most cichlids. They share the odd shape with angelfish, discus, uaru, and festivum. Only cichlids from South America to my knowledge have this unique look. Back in the day way before my time, there was only one specie of severum available and it is the severum we now of today as green severum. However, today Heros notatus and other Heros species are available in the aquarium hobby. As mentioned earlier in this blog, the variety of green severum has evolved. Now we have gold, red spotted gold and now some fish stores are labeling severums as red spotted green. I personally recommend the severum cichlid to people because they offer something that other’s don’t. They have a good personality, are able to defend themselves if they need to, can be docile, and are a fun fish to keep. If you want to add some color to your tank think of adding a red spotted severum or a rotkeil severum.
If you haven’t got a severum consider getting one, you will not regret it I promise.
Thank you for reading this week’s freshwater fish profile. Up next will be the red belly pacu another favorite fish of mine.
Enjoy and have a nice day.
Thank you!
Sincerely,
Aqua Alex Cardinale
Host of Exotic Tropical Fish with Aqua Alex
I personally prefer them to Discus.