Severum size: how big does it get?

Adults reach about 20 cm. Record sizes among the 189 Cichlidae species on LumaReef: 3 cm (Viejita Dwarf Cichlid) to 80 cm (Giant Tanganyika Cichlid).

Severum tank size: what is the minimum?

A tank at least 120 cm long. In LumaReef that is the Wide tank or larger.

Severum water parameters: what does it need?

Temperature 24–29 °C, pH 6.0–7.5, hardness 3–12 °dGH. Close to what most Cichlidae on LumaReef need (23–28 °C).

Severum tank mates: what can it live with?

It gets along with 53 of the 99 freshwater species in the catalogue, such as Bristlenose pleco, Sailfin molly, and Boesemani rainbowfish.

Severum and plants: is it plant safe?

No, it may eat or uproot plants.

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Severum

Heros efasciatus

Big, deep-bodied and slow; mild for its size, but it eats soft plants.

The Severum (Heros efasciatus) is a tropical freshwater fish of the family Cichlidae. It swims in midwater, close to the bottom. Adults grow to about 20 cm. In the aquarium it needs a tank at least 120 cm long and water at 24–29 °C.

Size: 20 cm
Smallest tank: 120 cm
Temperature: 24–29 °C
Care: Moderate

In the aquarium

Temperature24–29 °C

pH6.0–7.5

Hardness3–12 °dGH

Temperament: Semi-aggressive
Diet: Omnivore
Activity: Calm
Water layer: Mid water
Group: Lives on its own
Plants: Eats plants

These values are compiled from real species data, and the LumaReef simulation is built to keep them true to life.

Which tank it fits

Nano60 cm · 65 litresToo small
Standard90 cm · 180 litresToo small
Wide120 cm · 300 litres10 of them
Living room180 cm · 650 litres23 of them
Showcase250 cm · 1,200 litres42 of them
Gallery300 cm · 1,440 litres51 of them

Who it lives with

Gets along53 species

and 29 more species

Caution39 species

Narrow shared temperature range

Not together7 species

Water temperatures do not overlap

In the wild

Water type: Freshwater
Climate zone: Tropical
Habitat: Midwater, close to the bottom
Aquarium trade: Traded commercially

Conservation status

Classification

OrderCichliformes
FamilyCichlidae
GenusHeros
SpeciesHeros efasciatus

In other languages

English: Green Severum Cichlid
German: Rotkeil-Augenfleckbuntbarsch
French: Cichlide rayé

Quick answers

Severum size: how big does it get?: Adults reach about 20 cm. Record sizes among the 189 Cichlidae species on LumaReef: 3 cm (Viejita Dwarf Cichlid) to 80 cm (Giant Tanganyika Cichlid).
Severum tank size: what is the minimum?: A tank at least 120 cm long. In LumaReef that is the Wide tank or larger.
Severum water parameters: what does it need?: Temperature 24–29 °C, pH 6.0–7.5, hardness 3–12 °dGH. Close to what most Cichlidae on LumaReef need (23–28 °C).
Severum tank mates: what can it live with?: It gets along with 53 of the 99 freshwater species in the catalogue, such as Bristlenose pleco, Sailfin molly, and Boesemani rainbowfish.
Severum: alone or in a group?: It can be kept on its own.
Severum and plants: is it plant safe?: No, it may eat or uproot plants.