Severum cichlid is a calm and hardy South American cichlid that makes a stunning centrepiece for any spacious community aquarium with peaceful fish.
Overview
The severum cichlid (Heros severus) is one of the most popular South American cichlids in the freshwater aquarium hobby. In the wild, this species inhabits the Amazon and Orinoco river basins, dwelling in slow-moving waters rich in submerged vegetation and fallen trees. Thanks to its rounded, laterally compressed body and peaceful temperament, the severum has earned the nickname "false discus," although the two species are not closely related taxonomically.
Adults reach 15–20 cm in length. Their colouration ranges from olive-green to golden, with dark vertical bars and a characteristic dark spot at the base of the tail. Selective breeding has produced striking colour morphs, including gold, red, and turquoise varieties. The closely related Heros efasciatus is frequently sold under the same common name, so it is worth paying attention to precise species identification when purchasing.
With proper care, severums live 10–15 years, making them long-term and engaging pets — over time they learn to recognise their owner and may even take food from your hand.
Tank Requirements
A tank of at least 200 litres is required for a pair of severums. Optimal water parameters are: temperature 24–28 °C, pH 6.0–7.0, and general hardness (GH) 5–15 dGH. The water should be clean with moderate flow — a powerful external canister filter works well for this purpose.
Fine sand or rounded gravel makes the best substrate. Severums enjoy digging and may uproot delicate plants, so hardy-leaved species such as anubias, Amazon swords, and Java fern are recommended — or attach plants to driftwood and rocks. Driftwood, rocks, and caves provide essential hiding spots and help establish territorial boundaries.
Moderate lighting is sufficient. Weekly water changes of 25–30 % will help maintain stable parameters and keep nitrate levels in check.
Feeding and Diet
Heros severus is an omnivore with a pronounced preference for plant matter. High-quality cichlid pellets or flakes form the dietary staple. These should be regularly supplemented with:
- Vegetable foods: blanched spinach and lettuce leaves, zucchini, green peas, spirulina.
- Live and frozen foods: bloodworms, brine shrimp, daphnia, glassworms.
Feed 1–2 times daily in small portions that the fish consume within 2–3 minutes. The vegetable component should make up at least one-third of the diet — this supports healthy digestion and vibrant colouration. Remove uneaten food promptly to prevent water quality deterioration.
Care and Maintenance
Severums are hardy fish that rarely fall ill when basic husbandry rules are followed. Test the key water parameters (ammonia, nitrites, nitrates, pH) weekly. Water changes of 25–30 % once a week are essential.
Keep an eye on filter performance and rinse media in tank water as needed. Promptly remove food scraps and dead plant leaves. If signs of illness appear — whitened fins, spots on the body, lethargy — identify the cause and begin treatment. The most common issues are ich and bacterial fin infections, which typically arise from stress or declining water quality.
Compatibility
The severum is one of the most peaceful large cichlids, making it an excellent candidate for a community tank with medium- to large-sized fish. Good tank mates include:
- Large tetras (Congo tetra, diamond tetra);
- Peaceful catfish (Corydoras, bristlenose plecos, common plecos);
- Angelfish;
- Other calm South American cichlids.
Avoid keeping severums with small fish (neon tetras, guppies) that may be seen as food, as well as large aggressive cichlids that could bully them. During spawning, severums become territorial and may chase tank mates away from their chosen site, so ensure there is ample space and plenty of hiding spots.
Breeding
Breeding Heros severus at home is quite achievable once a bonded pair has formed. Severums are substrate spawners: they lay eggs on a pre-cleaned flat surface — a rock, a piece of driftwood, or the aquarium glass.
To trigger spawning, raise the water temperature slightly (to 27–28 °C), increase the frequency of soft-water changes, and provide generous feedings of live foods. The female deposits 200–800 eggs, which both parents actively guard and fan with their fins. Incubation lasts 3–5 days, after which the larvae spend several more days absorbing their yolk sacs.
Both parents display strong brood care, but if other fish are present the fry are best moved to a separate rearing tank. Suitable first foods are baby brine shrimp and finely crushed flakes. With proper nutrition and stable water parameters, the fry grow relatively quickly.