Severum Cichlid
Heros efasciatus
The 'Poor man's Discus': a tall, laterally compressed body like a disc, with patterns of red, orange, and green dots and bands. Reaches 20 cm but has a surprisingly mild temperament for a cichlid of this size. Varieties: green (wild), red, gold, super red. One of the few large cichlids compatible with plants — doesn't dig or destroy the setup. Long-lived: up to 10 years.
Water Temperature
22 - 29 °C
pH Value
6 - 7
Water type
Freshwater
Tank level
Bottom and middle
Adult size
25 cm
Minimum tank volume
>= 200 L
Minimum group
>= 2
GH
1 - 10 dGH
KH
1 - 5 dKH
TDS
25 - 200 ppm
Conductivity
39 - 313 uS/cm
Species description
Geographical Origin and Habitat: Amazon and Ucayali river basin, South America. Settles in flooded forests and river meanders where the current slows down and large deposits of fallen trunks are created (Black/Clear water).
Taxonomy and Morphology: Severum Cichlid (Heros efasciatus). Often called "The Poor Man's Discus" for the discoidal shape of its very tall and compressed body, but it has dozens of times superior robustness and a protruding snout to "tear".
Social Behavior: The gentle giant! Unlike Central American cichlids, the Efasciatus is an extremely mild, phlegmatic and non-predatory fish, which swims gracefully. The only timid skirmishes occur if two pairs spawn close to each other.
Coloration and Sexual Dimorphism: Natural morphology: dark greenish/olive, crossed by weak vertical black bands. On the market, chromatically modified variants explode (Gold Severum, Red Spotted Severum, which is pink/yellow with dots). Males have elaborate dotting (worming) on the face.
Care, breeding and tankmates
Aquarium Setup: Large tank, minimum 150 cm (60 inches) for adults. Huge crossed roots and very little light. NO PLANTS. Not even armored Anubias will resist more than two nights to the very powerful herbivorous bites (they tear the leaves to pieces and digest them).
Diet and Feeding: Herbivore/Omnivore (strongly leaning towards vegetables). Vegetable flakes and spirulina are its life; it will devour peas, zucchini, boiled lettuce and occasionally krill/earthworms but meat must not abound or they swell (Bloat).
Water Quality: Excellent tolerance and great adaptability to dechlorinated tap water. They love tannins, so peat releases or Catappa leaves keep them healthy and shiny. Downward pH swings induce them to mate.
Compatibility and Cohabitation: Among the best community Cichlids in the world. They can be kept together with Silver Dollars, Uaru, Geophagus, Discus or schools of large Tetras (e.g. Congo, Bleeding Heart). They will also leave small Corydoras alone.
Aquarium Breeding: Flat substrate breeder, they often clean woods and lay pinkish eggs (up to 1000). They are very sweet parents who never stop cleaning and assisting the fry for weeks even when they swim scattered.
Risks and Diseases: Hole in the Head disease (HITH). A Heros fed solely on proteins, beef or kept in water loaded with nitrates will see its skull literally crumble and will die of infections.
Geographic Origin and Distribution
Amazon and Ucayali river basin, South America. Settles in flooded forests and river meanders where the current slows down and large deposits of fallen trunks are created (Black/Clear water).
Origin
Amazon, Orinoco, and Guianas
Fish profile
- Temperament
- Semi-aggressive
- They are renowned for their peaceful, almost dog-like temperament and intelligence. Severums quickly learn to recognize their owners and will often beg for food at the front of the glass. While peaceful, they have a robust build and will firmly defend themselves if bothered by aggressive fish. Their calm demeanor makes them a favorite among South American cichlid enthusiasts.
- Diet
- Omnivore
- Severums are omnivorous with a strong preference for plant matter in their daily diet. They will readily consume high-quality cichlid pellets, spirulina flakes, and fresh blanched vegetables like zucchini or peas. Meaty foods such as bloodworms and brine shrimp should be offered sparingly as treats. Live aquarium plants are often viewed as a food source and may be eagerly consumed.
- Life expectancy
- 10-15 years
- This South American cichlid is known for its exceptional longevity, with a lifespan of 10 to 15 years in well-maintained aquariums. Keeping water parameters stable and ensuring efficient biological filtration are essential requirements for its long-term health. A healthy diet and the absence of stress from overcrowding help slow down aging. Optimal care is reflected in the vibrancy of its colors and active behavior.
- Adult size
- 25 cm
- The catalog's scalar value is 25 cm. The FishBase SPECIES table (v25.04 snapshot) source reports a maximum adult measurement of 17 cm for this species, recorded as standard length (SL). The taxonomic record consulted is Heros efasciatus (v25.04); male or unsexed record. These figures are not interchangeable: the first is the profile's editorial reference, whereas the second is a published maximum under a specific measurement convention; differences among sources can reflect sex, population, life stage and measuring method.
- Sex ratio
- Group
- Sexing severums can be challenging, but mature males often develop distinct facial markings and extended fin trailers. Females are generally slightly smaller and have a plainer facial pattern without the intense worm-like markings. They are best kept in pairs or as a single focal point fish in a community setting. Keeping multiple males may lead to mild territorial posturing in smaller tanks.
- Feeding frequency
- Twice daily
- These cichlids thrive when fed one to two times a day with a carefully balanced diet. Offer only what they can consume within a few minutes to prevent food decay and water fouling. Growing juveniles can be fed slightly more often to support healthy development. Providing a scheduled fasting day once a week can help prevent digestive issues.
- Bioload
- Medium to High
- Severums are substantial fish that produce a considerable amount of waste as they grow. Adequate filtration, such as a large canister filter, is necessary to maintain excellent water quality. Weekly water changes of at least thirty percent are recommended to keep nitrates low. Proper tank maintenance ensures these cichlids do not suffer from stress-related illnesses.
- Flow
- Moderate
- They prefer gentle to moderate water flow, mimicking the sluggish rivers and calm lakes of their native South America. Overly turbulent water can cause them stress and make it difficult for them to swim naturally. Standard filtration flow is usually adequate without the need for additional powerheads. Ensure there are calm areas decorated with driftwood for them to rest.
- Jump risk
- No
- Reproduction
- Oviparous
- Depending on the exact species, severums are either substrate spawners or specialized mouthbrooders. They form strong monogamous pairs and display intense parental care during the breeding process. Substrate spawners will clean a flat rock to lay eggs, while mouthbrooders will protect the fry inside their mouths. Breeding pairs can become territorial, so a separate breeding tank is often recommended.
- Compatibility & tankmates
- Peaceful
- Unlike many large cichlids, severums are remarkably peaceful and make great additions to large community tanks. They can be safely housed with other peaceful to semi-aggressive fish of similar size. They generally ignore smaller fish, though extremely tiny species might occasionally be eaten by large adults. They pair well with peaceful catfish, large tetras, and other mild-mannered cichlids.
- Tank level
- Middle/Bottom
- Severums are versatile swimmers that utilize the middle and lower levels of the water column. They enjoy navigating through complex environments made of submerged branches, roots, and smooth rocks. They will occasionally venture to the surface during feeding time. Providing vertical structures gives them a sense of security and encourages natural behavior.
Scientific Parameters & Models
FishBase
Window to the official scientific data of the species
Data synced on: 06/15/2026
- Trophic level
- 2.7 ± 0.41 se
- Resilience
- High (less than 15 months)
- Phylogenetic uniqueness (PD50)
- 0.5312
- Bayesian Length-Weight
- a = 0.03631, b = 3.11
- VulnerabilityLow vulnerability (11 / 100)
Image gallery
Licensed images linked to the species or, when marked, to the closest representative taxon.
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