Moderate

Severum

By The Aquarium Calculators Editorial Team ·

Heros efasciatus

Complete Severum care guide covering omnivore diet requirements, semi-aggressive temperament, minimum 75 Gallons tank setup, and compatible freshwater tankmates. Difficulty: Moderate.

Severum

Quick Answer

Severum (Heros efasciatus) is a popular South American cichlid known for its peaceful demeanor despite its size. It requires a minimum 75 Gallons aquarium with a pH of 6.0 - 7.5 and temperature range of 24-28°C. As a omnivore with semi-aggressive tendencies, careful tankmate selection is essential.

Intro

Severum (Heros efasciatus) is a popular South American cichlid known for its peaceful demeanor despite its size. Its laterally compressed body comes in green, gold, red, and other color varieties.

Setup

A 75-gallon or larger tank with open swimming space and robust plants (they may nibble). Provide driftwood and caves. Good filtration needed for heavy waste.

Feeding

Omnivorous; eats flakes, pellets, frozen foods, live foods, and vegetable matter (peas, spinach). Feed a high-quality cichlid pellet as staple.

Compatibility

Generally peaceful but may eat very small fish. Keep with similarly sized or larger community fish. Avoid fin-nippers. Good with Geophagus, Silver Dollars, large tetras.

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Tank Position
Middle
Water Temp
24-28°C
Adult Size
See profile
Water pH
6.0 - 7.5

Species Characteristics

Adult Size
Lifespan
Growth Rate
moderate
Tank Compatibility
Community compatible
Indoor Aquarium
Yes

Water Parameters

Water Temperature
Humidity
Water pH

Tank Lighting

Tank Lighting
Standard lighting
Light Hours
N/A
Intensity
moderate

Feeding & Diet

Diet Type
Diet: Omnivore
Feeding Schedule
N/A
Live Food Options
N/A

Continue Learning

Recommended Tools

Fish Compatibility Calculator fish compatibility

Health & Disease

Ich (White Spot Disease) common disease • all fish

Related Guides

Understanding pH in Aquariums water parameters • ph

Similar Species

African Leaf Fish Care Guide: Diet & Tank Mates semanticSimilarity Angelfish Care Guide: Tank Size & Diet | The Aquarium Calculators semanticSimilarity Badis Care Guide: Tank Size & Compatibility semanticSimilarity

Frequently Asked Questions

How many Severum Cichlids should be kept together?
Keep singly, as a confirmed mated pair, or in a group of 5 or more inside a spacious aquarium of at least 100 gallons (378 liters) with a footprint of 60x18 inches (150x45 cm). Severums (Heros severus) are often called the 'poor man's discus' due to their round shape, but they are much hardier. Groups of 3-4 cause dominant fish to single out the weakest. For a pair, 75 gallons minimum. Provide open swimming areas, driftwood, and robust plants (Java fern, Anubias). Avoid with small fish (under 2 inches).
What are the exact water parameters for Severum Cichlids?
Target pH 6.0 - 7.5, General Hardness 4 - 12 dGH, Carbonate Hardness 3 - 10 dKH, Total Dissolved Solids 100 - 300 ppm, Electrical Conductivity 200 - 600 μS/cm, and temperature 74°F - 82°F (23°C - 28°C). They are hardy but require clean water with low nitrates (<15 ppm). Maintain weekly 30% water changes. Use a canister filter with 8x turnover. Provide sand substrate; they sift and dig. Add driftwood. Avoid sharp decorations.
What is the dietary and medication protocol for Severum Cichlids?
They are omnivores with a heavy reliance on plant matter (60% vegetable, 40% protein). Feed cichlid pellets, spirulina flakes, blanched peas, zucchini, and frozen krill formulas twice daily. Supplement with bloodworms and brine shrimp. Medication alert: Tolerate copper (0.2 mg/L) and formalin. Praziquantel is safe. Salt baths up to 5 ppt treat external parasites. Quarantine with metronidazole (5 mg/L) for 10 days. Susceptible to hole-in-the-head; maintain pristine water.
How to breed Severum Cichlids with environmental triggers?
Condition a bonded pair with live earthworms and krill for 3 weeks. Raise temperature to 80°F (27°C) and perform 30% water change with slightly cooler (72°F/22°C) water. Provide a flat slate or large river rock. The pair cleans the site; female lays 500-1,000 eggs. Both parents guard and fan eggs. Eggs hatch in 72 hours at 78°F (25.5°C). Wrigglers become free-swimming in 7-10 days. Feed crushed flakes, baby brine shrimp, and microworms. Parents are excellent caregivers; leave them with fry. Frequent water changes (30% daily) are critical.

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