Severum

Heros efasciatus

Also known as: Banded cichlid, Gold severum, Sun severum

Water Parameters

• Temperature: 24–28°C
• pH: 6–7.5
• Hardness (GH): 36–214 ppm (2–12 dGH)

Values above are general hardness (GH). For carbonate hardness (KH), the buffer that keeps pH stable, see the water parameters guide.

Care Summary

A tall, deep-bodied cichlid often called the poor man's discus for its shape and comparatively easygoing nature, sold in wild-green, gold, and selectively-bred 'super red' forms. Severums are among the more peaceable of the large New World cichlids, intelligent and personable, but they reach 20cm or more, eat small fish and soft plants, and turn territorial when breeding, so they need a large tank and robust, similarly-sized tankmates rather than a delicate community. Given that space, some wood and rock to call their own, and a varied diet, they are hardy, long-lived, and characterful, recognising their keepers and settling into a stable centrepiece pair. A fine introduction to the larger cichlids for someone with the tank to match.

Tankmates

A large but relatively gentle cichlid, sometimes called the poor man's discus, that is peaceable for its size yet still territorial when breeding and quite capable of eating fish small enough to swallow. It belongs in a large tank with robust, medium-to-large companions: silver dollars, bigger catfish, peaceful larger barbs and loaches, and other reasonably-sized cichlids of similar temperament. It will graze on most soft live plants, so a severum tank is usually hardscape or tough-plant only. Best as a single specimen or a bonded pair; provide rockwork and wood to define territory.

Compatible with

• Silver Dollar
• Bristlenose Pleco
• Common Pleco
• Clown Loach
• Denison Barb
• Firemouth Cichlid
• Synodontis Catfish

Avoid keeping with

• Betta
• Neon Tetra
• Cherry Shrimp
• Guppy
• Ember Tetra

Common Problems

• territorial aggression when breeding
• eating small fish and soft live plants
• needing a large tank as it matures
• ich and hole-in-the-head with poor diet or water

Sources: seriouslyfish.com, fishbase.org · Last updated: 2026-06-20