Cichlid - Severum, Gold

Other Breeds

Keeshond   |   Palomino   |   Pig – Pot Bellied   |  

Alternative Name

Banded Cichlid. Hero Cichlid Scientific Name: Heros severus

Basic Info

The Gold Severum is a beautiful cichlid, which accounts for much of its popularity. They are a color mutation of the Green Severum and are similar in appearance, except for their striking gold color. The Gold Severum is a round, fairly flat fish. Some people compare them to the Discus in shape. Males and females are very difficult to distinguish visually, though females do have shorted anal and dorsal fins. Females are also reported to have slightly lighter coloration than males. The average length of the Gold Severum is 8 inches, though it is not uncommon for them to reach 12 inches in length at maturity. The Gold Severum's coloration can range from gold to a delicate off-white color. Their scales almost appear to glisten. They have black spots on their sides that run from behind the pectoral fin to the end of the fish.

Health

Gold Severums grow very large, and for this reason they should be housed in a large tank. The minimum sized aquarium for an adult is a 30-gallon, though a 55-gallon tank is ideal. They require pH levels between 6.0 and 7.5. Water should not be too hard, this species requires soft to medium hardness levels ranging from a dH of 4 to 15. This is a tropical fish, so temperatures should be warm and kept within 75 to 84 degrees Fahrenheit. Like other cichlids, the Gold Severum is carnivorous and does well on a varied diet consisting of cichlid pellets, fish flakes, and frozen foods, such as bloodworms. Breeding The Gold Severum does not breed as easily as some other cichlids, though it is achieved regularly in captivity. This is due to the fact that males do not form pairs as quickly as some other cichlid species. Some hobbyists have solved this problem by housing the male with several females. The Gold Severum is known to be a good parent to its fry.

Habitat

Fresh water fish

Behavior

The Gold Severum is a large South American Cichlid that has become very popular in the pet trade. Gold Severums are fairly peaceful for cichlids, though they may be too aggressive for the average community tank, and likewise they may not be aggressive enough if placed with aggressive cichlids such as Oscars. They should be placed with similarly sized fish, as they may pick on smaller, slower moving fish. Gold Severums can be highly aggressive when spawning, and this must be considered when choosing tank-mates. Ideal tank-mates would be similarly sized South American cichlids. Unlike some cichlids they do not usually pick on large algae eaters or large scavengers, so larger Catfish or Plecostomus may also be placed in their aquariums. Gold Severums are often sold as babies in pet stores, and are not very large when purchased. The average sized Gold Severum seen in pet shops is between 1 and 2 inches long. This species can grow to be a foot in length and this must be considered before purchase. The Gold Severum typically swims in the middle to bottom ranges of the tank. Gold Severums are particularly favored because they tend to get used to the presence of their keepers, and have been known to feed directly from their owner's hands once they are comfortable in their environment.

Origin

South America

History

The Gold Severum Cichlid is native to South America and is commonly seen in the Amazon.

Common Foods

N/A