CheckMyFishTankSeverum care
Heros severus · Freshwater · Intermediate level care
A large, fairly calm cichlid that likes plenty of vegetables.
Feeding
Twice a day. A modest portion of pellets they finish in about 3 minutes. Cichlid pellets, vegetables, frozen foods.
Eats fish small enough to fit in its mouth.
Claims a territory and guards it.
Good tank mates
Fish that pass every check with Severum in a 150 gallon tank: same water, overlapping temperature, nobody gets eaten and no bullies.
Do not mix with
- Neon Tetra: Severum grows big enough to eat Neon Tetra.
- Cardinal Tetra: Severum grows big enough to eat Cardinal Tetra.
- Green Neon Tetra: Severum grows big enough to eat Green Neon Tetra.
- Black Neon Tetra: Severum grows big enough to eat Black Neon Tetra.
- Ember Tetra: Severum grows big enough to eat Ember Tetra.
- Lemon Tetra: Severum grows big enough to eat Lemon Tetra.
- Glowlight Tetra: Severum grows big enough to eat Glowlight Tetra.
- Black Skirt Tetra: Severum grows big enough to eat Black Skirt Tetra.
Questions
What size tank does a Severum need?
At least 75 gallons. Adults grow to about 8 inches, so plan for the adult size, not the size at the store.
What temperature does a Severum like?
75 to 82 degrees Fahrenheit, with a pH of about 6 to 7. A steady temperature matters more than hitting one exact number.
How many Severum should I keep together?
One is fine. If you keep more, keep one male, since males fight each other.
What do Severum eat?
Cichlid pellets, vegetables, frozen foods. Feed twice a day: a modest portion of pellets they finish in about 3 minutes.
Sources
Checked against these sources on 2026-11-10. When sources disagree we use the safer number.