Severum
Heros efasciatus
Cichlidae
About
The severum is a large, deep-bodied Amazonian cichlid often called a gentle giant for its calm temperament relative to its bulk. Native to slow, tannin-stained backwaters and flooded forest margins in Peru and Brazil, it grows tall and disc-shaped and makes a commanding centrepiece. Although generally mild-mannered, lone or breeding adults can turn territorial, and its large mouth means very small fish may be eaten.
Care
Give a single fish or a bonded pair a spacious 250 L+ tank with soft sand, driftwood and warm, soft-to-neutral water. Expect it to nibble and uproot soft plants, so use hardy Anubias or Java fern and choose robust, similarly sized tankmates.
Diet
Vegetarian-leaning omnivore that relishes plant and fruit matter; offer cichlid pellets, blanched vegetables and spirulina with occasional meaty foods. It will graze on and dig up soft aquarium plants.
Tankmate compatibility
Possible with care (187)
Avoid (84)
Computed by the AquaSage engine for a spacious reference tank — always check the full verdict for your exact setup in the calculator.
Telling males from females
What works for this species, most reliable first.
- Extended finsStrong · from about 8 months, and later in a suppressed male
On many cichlids and killifish the male's dorsal and anal fins draw out into trailing points as he matures, while the female's stay rounded.
- VentingA hint only · only on a mature fish, easiest when she is in breeding condition
The method breeders use when the answer has to be right. Hold the fish upside down in a wet hand or soft net and look at the two openings ahead of the anal fin. The forward one is the anus; the one behind it is what you are reading.
- Adult sizeA hint only · only across animals of the same age
In many cichlids, catfish and loaches one sex simply grows larger — usually the male, though there are well-known reversals.
Frequently asked questions
- What tank size does a Severum need?
- A Severum needs an aquarium of at least 250 litres (66 US gallons) with a footprint at least 120 cm (47.2 in) long — for this species, swimming length matters as much as raw volume.
- What water parameters does a Severum need?
- Severum does best at 22–30 °C (71.6–86 °F), pH 5.5–7.5 and a general hardness of 2–18 °dGH.
- Is the Severum suitable for beginners?
- Severum sits in the middle of the difficulty scale — manageable for a careful beginner who has done the reading, but it has specific needs worth researching first.