Severum mating violence?

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Longimanus

Longimanus

Candiru
MFK Member
Feb 19, 2009
405
19
48
BC, Canada
I have a pair of Green Severums in a 90 gallon tank. They are beginning to show signs of wanting to mate. The problem is that they are getting more and more aggressive towards each other, and racing around the tank as well. The female is showing more wounds every day, I believe most of it is from scratching herself on tank furnishings as she has a few scratches down one side, as does he. She also has a bit of a gouge on her other side, and a few marks on her head. Now the male has a torn fin and a chunk out of his face.

Now I don't really want any babies, so I would likely let their tankmates eat the eggs or babies, but should I even let it get to that point? Will she heal? Or should I just take her out? I have a 37 gallon I could put her in.

More info, both fish are about five inches, tank mates are two small Bala Sharks, four Boesmani Rainbows and a small Jack Dempsey. This weekend I am adding one L200 and a small Acarichthys heckelii (Threadfin Geophagus). Also soon to go in the tank are four small Clown Loaches. I'm also worried that they will take over the tank, and bully everyone else too much. This hasn't happened much yet, but she is starting to chase the other fish a bit. She also doesn't let him go anywhere, she basically charges him until he stays where she wants him.

Full tank shot


Here's a video showing their behaviour and injuries. Sorry for the bad quality, it is from my digital camera.
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I'm just not sure if I should separate them or not. Or should I just give them a flat rock and let them get on with it?

 
Nice tank! Their behavior certainly seems like it could be pre - spawing activity. You can expect the chasing to get worse, with lip locking and body slaps, and tug of wars. I think that if they turn out to be a compatible pair, the only way to stop them from breeding would be to seperate them. If one or the other Severum starts to really get beat up, then I would remove it to your other tank. I would also start feeding them well, earthworms are a treat. If one fish of the pair isn't ready to spawn, that can cause fighting. You may also want to 'childproof' the decorations, moving things around so there is space for them to manouver, and minimize sharp edges.
As for their wounds, I couldn't see anything too serious in your video. My cichlids sometimes argue over who's boss, and the scales can fly - but they heal quickly. Split fins should heal just fine.
They appear to need some more conditioning ... maybe seperate them for a few weeks and fatten her up? I would re arrange the tank before reintroducing them, though, and keep the female in the 90. However, I would wait for some more experienced members to chime in too.
Bob
 
Thanks Bobc, I guess it was definitely pre-spawning, as I just got back from getting my new fish and I found eggs!


What do I do now? I have a new pleco and a new threadfin geo, she attacked the geo pretty good already. But now he is staying at the other end of the tank so hopefully it will be okay.

Will they just keep spawning over and over? If I take the rock out will the aggression subside? Or will I have to remove one of them?
 
Congrats on the spawn. I think that as long as they're healthy and well fed, yes, they'll keep spawning over and over. Lucky you! Not so lucky for the others, perhaps. Spawning cichlids will mark off their territory and attack any who enter. The larger the fish the larger the territory. I don't think Severums are among the most aggressive of fish but they might make life hell for the Geophagus. They may be even more aggressive towards the pleco, recognizing it as a threat to their eggs. Plecos are tough, and with enough hiding places may last a long time, minus bits of fin here and there. It's hard to be definite because some pairs are killers and some are mellow, and most lie somewhere between. Your tank is large enough that there may never be any serious damage done during the Severums periods of spawning, if the other fish can retreat beyond the pairs territory, and have plenty of places to hide. Be aware that once the fry become free swimming, the Severum may exhibit increased aggression. Then again, your Pleco may eat most of the eggs anyway. Good luck with you pair, and I hope some babies make it.
Bob
 
Oh, and if you take the rock out, they might blame each other and fight, or just ripen another batch of eggs and lay them somewhere else. I put my hand into a 29 gallon tank with a breeding pair of convicts, about 2 inches long and they attacked my hand, showing no fear! LOL My male bites my hand whenever I get too close to his cave, while my Synodontis gently nibbles it looking for food. Fish are cool!
Bob
PS re reading your original post I see you don't want babies. You will have to seperate the Severum to prevent them from breeding
 
Thank you for the information.:)
I've decided to sell them, as I don't really want to separate them, and I can't keep them together as you were right, the aggression is increasing. Hopefully I can find someone who wants them before they stress everyone else out too much.
 
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