Caves, castles, and other accessories are comforting, and keep aquariums looking wild. Sharp foliage will cause injuries to the fish.Ĭaves and driftwood accents have an aesthetic quality in home aquariums. These fish hide between plants and often brush up against the leaves. Look for plants that will not damage the fish and flow well in the water.

Live plants, driftwood, and caves are important features in severum cichlid tanks. Ensure the substrate is soft and fine to avoid damaging their delicate fins. These fish dig up the substrate when they want to hide from other fish or rest. Substrateįine sand substrates are perfect for severums. You should check the temperature daily to ensure it stays constant. The fish can tolerate a wide range of temperatures, but fluctuating temperatures will cause sickness and distress. Water TemperaturesĪ water temperature 73☏ to 84☏ is ideal for severum cichlids. You should add another 50 gallons for every severum cichlid that is introduced to the tank, so a pair of severums should swim happily in a 100-gallon tank or larger. A single severum cichlid can live happily in a 45-gallon tank. Severums will dig in the substrate and nibble at plants and fish that get in their way.Ī 45-gallon tank is the smallest recommended tank size for the species. However, they will explore other areas of the aquarium.

Severum cichlids spend most of their time swimming near the top of the tank. Most cichlids are hard to pair with other fish species, and because of this, severum cichlids should only share a tank with non-aggressive fish that are of similar size. They become territorial and display aggressive tendencies before and during breeding. Severum cichlids are semi-aggressive by nature. Females have rounded fins, and males develop extensions on their dorsal fins, making the fins look pointed. Male fish also display markings on their gills, whereas females have smooth gills. Males are bigger than females, which is common for these fish. Changes in color can indicate health issues, emotional distress, or unsuitable tank conditions. Stressed fish will look dull and lethargic. Mature fish will grow up to seven inches long.

Heros spurius - Pale with spots and stripes all over the fish’s body, fins, and tail.

This species comes in various colors, such as purple, orange, green, and yellow. This species displays small spots all over its body, fins, and tail.

Heros notatus - also known as the spotted severum.

The Heros liberifer has aggressive tendencies. The fish displays prominent horizontal black stripes down its body.

Heros liberifer - has a white base and glistens red/orange.

This species has the classic compressed severum body shape.

Heros efasciatus - displays horizontal black stripes, blue fins and tail, and red/orange accents.

Heros severus - the most common severum cichlid species, which has a yellow/gold hue with a flat body and pointed dorsal fins and tail.

This can cause gas to accumulate in the eyes and make them swell. Also consider supersaturation of gas in the water, which can be seen as tiny bubbles on the sides of the aquarium and even in the fish's skin. If one or more fish in your tank presents with popeye, test your water to determine if something is amiss with its chemistry.

Poor water conditions can also contribute to popeye and fish that are sensitive will be affected first.

Internal problems, such as kidney failure or a metabolic issue can result in fluid build-up, making it extremely hard to treat your fish. If the fish suffers from both popeye and dropsy (edema of the belly), the prognosis is bleak. Infection may be caused by a variety of organisms, including bacteria, fungi, and parasites.

Another cause of popeye is an infection.

However, the fish should be monitored closely, as infection can ensue, causing the fish to lose sight in the affected eye. In most injuries, the protruding eye will eventually recede as it heals. If this happens, look for damage to the eye-a dead giveaway that exophthalmia is the result of an injury. A swollen eye can be the outcome of a fight with another fish, or your fish could have scraped its eye against an abrasive object in the tank. This is particularly true if only one fish in a community tank is exhibiting popeye.

If only one eye is affected (unilateral), it is likely that the condition is caused by an injury rather than a problem with the water chemistry.

Red zebra cichlid vs gold severum