Severum care

Water temperature

74–84°F

Keep severums at 74–84°F with a pH of 6–7, in a tank of at least 55 gallons. Good tank mates include kuhli loaches, angelfish, yoyo loaches.

Laid-back for a big cichlid, but eats small fish and soft plants.

Heros severus

pH

6–7

Minimum tank

55 gal

Adult size

8.0 in

Temperament

Semi-aggressive

Group

Alone or in pairs

Lifespan

10–12 years

Swims at

Middle

Diet

Omnivore

Best tank mates

• Kuhli loachYes
• AngelfishYes
• Yoyo loachYes
• Clown loachYes
• OscarYes
• Elephant nose fishYes
• ApistogrammaYes
• Common plecoYes
• Blue gouramiYes
• Black ghost knifeYes
• Firemouth cichlidYes
• BichirYes

Full severum tank mate chart: 46 yes, 39 with care, 13 no

Severum water compared

Fish to keep away from severums

• Axolotl Axolotls are coldwater animals (60–66°F); severums need 74–84°F. No temperature suits both.
• Silver arowana An adult silver arowana eats fish that fit in its mouth, and at 8 inches severums do.
• Goldfish Goldfish are coldwater animals (60–74°F); severums need 74–84°F. They meet only at 74°F, the edge of both ranges.
• Cherry shrimp A severum is big enough to swallow adult cherry shrimp.
• Bamboo shrimp A severum is big enough to swallow adult bamboo shrimp.
• Amano shrimp A severum is big enough to swallow adult amano shrimp.
• Ghost shrimp A severum is big enough to swallow adult ghost shrimp.
• African cichlid Different water: african cichlids want pH 7.8–8.6, severums want pH 6–7.

More cichlids

• Angelfish76–84°F
• Oscar74–81°F
• Discus82–88°F
• Convict cichlid74–82°F
• German blue ram80–86°F
• African cichlid75–82°F
• Blood parrot76–80°F
• Jack Dempsey72–86°F