Severum pics - juvie to adult

magpie

Potamotrygon
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If you don't want any aggression I would go with just males or just 1 fish.
Thank you, this is what I thought and was my original plan. Is there a reason you say just males vs. females if there were to be more than one? Do they just work better together?
 

Brandonclark88

Peacock Bass
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The bars are associated with stress. You'll notice I have 2-3 dominant males that show little to no bars. I have 2 that will usually show bars because they are the least dominant and get chased frequently. I need to thin out my stock a bit, getting packed in my 150. And male rotkeils typically have a lot more spotting / patterns on thier cheeks.
 
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magpie

Potamotrygon
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Thanks!

I have had others recommend trying to stock all females (one each species) for a mixed cichlid community... supposedly more likely to work out. ?
 

Brandonclark88

Peacock Bass
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I have all male severums in my aquarium and there is a pecking order but no real aggression. Females of most cichlids are less aggressive than males (this is not true for all by any means though). So if you are wanting to do a community with cichlids females is typically the way to go if you don't have room for a 240 or 300+ gallon aquarium.
 
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Alexxxxsv14

Goliath Tigerfish
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Thank you, this is what I thought and was my original plan. Is there a reason you say just males vs. females if there were to be more than one? Do they just work better together?
I feel males have more color and better in apearance but that's just me, plus 2 females might want to lay eggs and they can lay eggs without males being present and act aggressive towards tankmates protecting there unfertalized eggs
 
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magpie

Potamotrygon
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Great feedback, thanks.

I am planning a future upgrade, it will be at or less than 200 gallons. I was thinking of Vieja Heterospilus, Paratilapia Polleni, and Severum for potential stocking with several bichirs. Since they are the milder cichlids in general, maybe single males would work. I just would like to keep larger fish but not have a high level of aggression in the tank. So I sort of ruled out pairs (who might be aggressive even toward bichirs if spawning).

Would single males work potentially? I know it is always a guessing game and hit or miss with cichlids. My idea was to get small groups of each fish and pick and choose based on looks and temperament. I'd start with Heterospilus and Polleni because they grow really slowly. The Severum would likely be the last I'd add. I was thinking it would be cool to have different types of Sevs as I've read of others doing so, but maybe I'd just have to try and see how everyone mixed up. Or maybe just add a 4th species completely.
 

ryansmith83

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Female severums will pair up and breed with other females. If you want less aggression from spawning fish, all males are the way to go.
 
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virgil2090

Polypterus
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200 gallons will help towards the fish living with each other. I had a heterospilus that did not work in my SA community. I think your chances long term will be better with all SA or CA
 
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magpie

Potamotrygon
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200 gallons will help towards the fish living with each other. I had a heterospilus that did not work in my SA community. I think your chances long term will be better with all SA or CA
Can you go into why it didn't work a little for me?
 
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