Why is my Severum eating all my aquarium plants?

Severums are largely herbivorous in the wild and naturally graze on vegetation. Soft-leaved aquarium plants are viewed as a salad buffet. If you wish to keep plants with them, try robust species like Anubias or Java Fern, or provide them with plenty of dietary greens to reduce their grazing habits.

How fast do Severums grow?

They grow relatively quickly during their first year, often reaching 10 to 15 cm. After this initial spurt, their growth rate slows significantly, taking another year or two to reach their full adult size of 20 to 25 cm.

How do I tell male and female Severums apart?

Sexing juveniles is extremely difficult. In mature adults, males generally develop longer, more pointed dorsal and anal fins, may display more prominent facial markings (worm-like squiggles), and can sometimes develop a slight nuchal hump on their forehead. Females tend to be plumper with less distinct facial patterning.

Can I keep a Severum on its own?

Yes, Severums do exceptionally well as single, solitary centrepiece fish in a community tank. While they can be kept in pairs or groups in very large tanks, a single specimen will often become more interactive with its owner.

Are Severums compatible with Discus?

While they share similar water requirements and natural habitats, Severums are much more boisterous and voracious feeders than the delicate Discus. They can outcompete Discus for food and cause them stress, so this combination is generally not recommended unless the aquarium is exceptionally large.

FreshwaterTropicalIntermediate

Severum

Heros efasciatus

A large, intelligent and relatively peaceful South American cichlid, the Severum is prized for its disc-like shape and impressive adult size.

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Ideal Conditions

Temperature: 23 – 29 °C
pH range: 6 – 7.5
Hardness: 2 – 15 dGH
Adult size: 20 – 25 cm
250 Litres: 250 litres+
Lifespan: 8 – 12 years
Diet: omnivore
Water flow: low to moderate
Preferred setup: Large open swimming spaces with bogwood, smooth rocks, and robust or artificial plants.

About the Severum

Often referred to affectionately as the 'poor man's discus', the Severum shares the laterally compressed, deep-bodied shape of its famous relative but boasts a much hardier constitution. While the true Heros severus is rarely seen in the trade, Heros efasciatus is the species most commonly kept, forming the foundation of several striking aquarium strains including the Gold and Red Spotted morphs. They are characterful fish that quickly learn to recognise their owners, bringing a magnificent presence to large aquariums.

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Where Severum comes from

Native range

Amazon Basin, Orinoco Basin

Countries / regions

Brazil, Peru, Colombia, French Guiana

Habitat

Slow-moving or still waters, flooded forests, and lakes with submerged tree roots and heavy shoreline vegetation.

Widely distributed throughout the major river systems of northern South America.

Similar species

Discus
Symphysodon aequifasciatus
Chocolate Cichlid
Hypselecara temporalis
Uaru
Uaru amphiacanthoides

We’re adding more full species guides as the catalogue grows.

Compatible tank mates

Reviewed guidance based on this species' recorded traits.

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Silver Dollar
Metynnis argenteus
Dither fish that occupy the mid-to-top levels, are too large to be eaten, and appreciate the same water conditions.
Great
Blue Acara
Andinoacara pulcher
Shares similar water requirements and has a comparable temperament, making them a compatible cichlid tankmate.
Great
Sterba's Corydoras
Corydoras sterbai
A robust bottom-dweller that tolerates the warmer temperatures Severums prefer without invading their mid-water territory.
Great
Oscar
Astronotus ocellatus
Oscars grow significantly larger and can sometimes outcompete or bully the more placid Severum during feeding.
Compatible with caution
Neon Tetra
Paracheirodon innesi
Far too small; they will eventually be viewed as a food source by an adult Severum.
Not recommended

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