Photos © Sean Evans
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| Common name: | Severum, Banded cichlid |
| Scientific name: | Usually referred to as Heros severus, but the "Severum" actually encountered in aquatic stores
will often be H. efasciatus or other Heros sp. |
| Synonyms: | (none) |
| Size: | 8" (20cm), but occasionally larger. |
| Origin: | South America. |
| Tank setup: | A large tank (suggest 4ft/122cm plus) with some flat rocks and a few robust plants. |
| Compatibility: | Usually a fairly peaceful cichlid, only aggressive when spawning. |
| Temperature: | 23-25oC (73-77oF) |
| Water chemistry: | Soft and acidic prefered, pH 6.0-6.8, but also does fine in harder, alkaline water. |
| Feeding: | Carnivorous: feed live and frozen foods, will take flake, granular and pellet foods. |
| Sexing: | The fins of the male are more pointed. |
| Breeding: | The parents will pre-clean a stone or other flat surface, before as many as 1000 eggs
are laid. The parents guard the eggs and fry. Heros severus practices bi-parental mouthbrooding, in contrast to
the other species. |
| Comments: |
A gold colour form of the Severum has been developed, which has proven popular.
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