Fishkeeping - Caresheets - Severum (Banded cichlid)

Severum
Alternative Name(s): Banded cichlid
Scientific Name(s): Heros severus
Category: Cichlid
Difficulty:
Maximum Size: 20cms
Minimum Tank Volume: 170 litres
Minimum Tank Size: 48x12x18 in
Water Temperature Range: 24-28°C
Water pH Range: 5.5-7.0
Water Hardness Range: 5-7 dGH

General Information:	Large stunningly patterned highly variable fish from the amazon and rio magdalena, available in an array of colours that rival discus.Surprisingly gentle for a cichlid of this size, but a league above angels and discus in terms of predation and territoriality. Territorial but rarely persecutory unless aggravated by less peaceful species or breeding.
Tank Requirements:	See Minimum Tank Volume and Minimum Tank Size above
Diet Requirements:	Carnivorous as young, taking more vegetation with age. Usual frozen livefoods, chopped shellfish, shrimp, and small fish. Cichlid staples.Blanched romaine lettuce.Frozen vegetable diets.
Compatibility:	Excellent considering the size of adults, small tetras will be eaten.Better to house with fish averaging 2-6 inches in length. Will wane if placed with other larger and more aggressive cichlids.
Recommendations:	Superb fish in large amazon setups with crystal water, tough plants and cover. Species does not deserve to be cramped in small aquaria. Recommend 100 gal plus accomodation. Diet variety important.
Common Problems:	Hexamita, and presence of ammonia , nitrite, or nitrate above 40 ppm will prove deleterious. Tougher than discus, but only a little.
Similar Species:	Lots of heros relatives, many are hybrids, some similar cichlasoma species still often in the same scope of interest as discus and angelfish.
Sexing:	Sexes almost identical, requires behavioural observation or exam of genital pappilae to be sure. Fins of males on average, more pointed.Vague nuchal hump.
Breeding:	ph kept in tight reign, 6.0-6.5, 25-28c . 100 eggs, on rocks,excellent parents. Fry consume liquid fry formulas , aufwuchs and artemia nauplii.

Author(s): | Photo: | Views: 6658

The comments are owned by the poster. We aren't responsible for their content.

Poster	Thread

Click here if you'd like to edit or add a caresheet