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Cichlids
/ South America / Severum
Severum, Banded Cichlid
Heros severus | Pictures
Synonyms:
Acara spuria, Astronotus severus, Cichlasoma
severum, C. severus, Heros efasciatus, H. spurius
Physical description: An oval-shaped, laterally compressed cichlid with large red eyes, and a small mouth.
The
body coloring depends on the geographic population
The most common has an olive green back with gold-green flanks.
The
belly and lower parts are a deep brick red.
Seven to eight stripes, although often barely visible, mark the body.
These
are more prominent on juvenile fish, although some adults may retain a similar patter.
Size/Length: To 12" (30 cm)
Similar species: Heros
appendiculatus is a variant that has been elevated to the species
level.
It is from Peru.
Habitat: Can be found in lakes and standing water or slow-moving water with heavy vegetation.
South
America; Amazon Basin north to the Orinoco Basin.
S: bottom, middle
Aquarium: 36" (90 cm) or 35 gallons (132 L) is sufficient for fish to 6" (15 cm).
Provide
hiding places and retreats with driftwood, roots, and rocks.
Have well-planted areas and a partial cover of
floating plants.
Use fine gravel as a substrate.
Water chemistry: pH 6-7.5 (7.0), 4-15 (10) dH, 75-84°F (24-29°C).
Social behavior: A peaceful fish that can be kept in a community tank with other non-aggressive, medium
to large sized fish.
However, Severum can usually hold their own in a rowdy cichlid tank as long as shelter
is provided.
The Severum can be kept in a pair or is a group.
During spawning the pair may become aggressive
towards all other fish.
Pairing is often difficult as a male can be abusive towards the female.
Try using several females with one male
if a problem arises.
Pairs form nuclear families.
Suggested companions: Catfish (Armored, Pimelodids, Loricarids, Doradids), Cichlids (Angelfish, Festivum,
some Cichlasomines, Acaras, Eartheaters), Characins (Silver Dollars,
Leporinus, Anostomus)
FOOD: Live; Tubifex
, insect larvae, crustaceans; large flakes; pellets; vegetable matter.
SEX:
Sexual distinction is difficult. The pectoral and anal fins of the male are more pointed
than those of the female.
Males also have 'worm-like' markings on their head, while female only have spots.
Breeding techniques: Use water with a pH of 6.0-6.5, a water hardness of 2-6 dH, and a warmer water temperature
of 81-86°F (27-30°C).
An open breeder that will lay up to 1,000, depending on the size of the female, eggs on
previously cleaned rocks.
The fry hatch in 2-4 days and are free-swimming 3-4 days later.
Sometimes the larvae are moved to pits
by the parents.
They are carefully guarded by the parents, although the male tends mostly to the duty of
defending the territory.
Start feeding with small live foods and later with powdered flake foods.
The fry begin to take the normal shape
of the Severum after a period of three to four weeks.
Breeding potential: 6.
Breeding the Severum is not difficult.
Remarks: There are several different color variations available, including the "Gold,"
Green, Brown, and "Peruvian Green" strains.
The Severum is hardy after the initial acclimation period, when it
may have some problems.
After a period of time, Severums may become friendly towards their owner and may take foods
from the fish keeper's hand.
Difficulty of care: 4.
Live foods should be included in the diet of this hardy, but peaceful, cichlid.
Recent articles about fish
Overfishing may hurt Amazon forest trees
(2/5/2008) Overfishing is reducing the effectiveness of seed dispersal by fish in the Brazilian Pantanal, reports Nature. The research suggests that fishing practices can affect forest health.
Scientists find fish that literally lives in trees
(10/17/2007) Scientists have found a fish that literally lives in trees, according to research published in The American Naturalist and highlighted in New Scientist Magazine.
Piranhas originated when Amazon was flooded by seawater
(12/4/2007) South America's piranha family of fish -- notorious as eaters of flesh -- can be traced back to a single ancestor which dispersed when the Amazon was flooded by seawater some five million years ago, report researchers from the Institut de Recherche Pour le Developpement (IRD). Today piranhas are exclusively freshwater fish found from the Orinoco River basin in Venezuela to the Parana in Argentina.
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