Severum

Overview

The severum (Heros efasciatus) is a deep-bodied, disc-shaped New-World cichlid sometimes called the “poor man’s discus” for its shape and colour. It is one of the calmer large cichlids — a gentle giant by cichlid standards — but “large” is the operative word: adults reach 20–25 cm and need a big, well-filtered tank. Peaceful for its size, long-lived and available in green, gold and other colour forms, it suits a keeper with the space for a substantial fish.

Tank & water

Be honest about size. A single severum needs at least 250 litres (55 gallons), and a pair or community more still. See our large-tank guide.

• Temperature: 24–29 °C from a robust heater.
• Water: pH 6.0–7.0, soft to moderately hard; test regularly with a kit.
• Strong filtration: big fish make heavy waste — oversize the filter and keep nitrate down with generous water changes.
• Aquascape: open swimming space, wood and rock, and tough plants they won’t demolish.

Feeding

Severums are omnivores that lean herbivorous. Base the diet on a quality cichlid pellet with a good vegetable component, and add frozen or live meaty foods plus blanched vegetables such as courgette and peas. A varied diet with plenty of plant matter keeps them healthy and reduces their urge to graze the aquascape. Feed once or twice daily and manage the waste with filtration and water changes.

Tankmates

Relatively peaceful for a large cichlid, but tankmates must be too big to be eaten and robust enough to share space with a substantial fish — larger tetras and barbs, other calm medium-large cichlids, and big catfish work in a spacious tank. Avoid nano fish and very aggressive species. A breeding pair becomes territorial, so give the tank room and check the load with how many fish in an aquarium.

For a smaller cichlid with a similar disposition, the electric blue acara needs far less space.