Heros severus · also called Banded cichlid, Sevrum, Gold severum, Heros efasciatus (the species most often sold as 'severum'), Heros liberifer (the mouthbrooding species formerly confused with H. severus)
A tall, disc-shaped South American cichlid sometimes called the 'poor man's discus' for its shape and relatively calmer temperament. It is a handsome, personable centerpiece fish for a large, well-filtered tank.
ℹ️
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Large; typically 8-10 in (20-25 cm), deep-bodied and disc-shaped.
Lifespan
8–15 years
Social needs
pair
Native region
Northern South America, including the upper Amazon, Orinoco, and Rio Negro basins
Origin
New World
Climate
🌴 Tropical
Water type
💧 Freshwater
Family
Cichlidae
Genus
Heros
Part of the Cichlids
Cichlids are a large, behaviorally complex family of freshwater fish prized for color, intelligence, and elaborate parental care. They range from peaceful dwarfs to highly territorial Rift Lake and Central American species, and most demand stable water chemistry and thoughtful tankmate selection.
From the minimum an animal needs to be kept humanely, up to the ideal setup. Bigger is almost always better — minimums are floors, not targets.
Photo coming soon
Minimum
Large cichlid tank
75 gal / 280 L (≥4 ft)
Heros species reach 20–25 cm — large peaceful South American cichlids. Pair territorial during breeding; provide caves, driftwood, sand, and 4-ft+ length.
Photo coming soon
Recommended
Larger cichlid community
90–125 gal / 340–470 L
Long footprint for a pair plus compatible tankmates. Strong filtration, warm soft water (24–28 °C). Pair becomes territorial during spawning.
Photo coming soon
Ideal
Amazonian biotope
150 gal+ / 570 L+ biotope
Large biotope with driftwood, sand, dim lighting, and a confirmed pair. Natural brood-care behaviour and full adult colour development.
Life & growth stages
How this animal changes through its life — each stage often has its own care, diet and space needs.
Photo coming soon
Egg
Fish eggs are small, translucent spheres, often laid in clutches on plants, substrate, or in a nest — or carried/brooded by a parent in livebearing and mouth-brooding species. A dark eye spot and the curled embryo become visible inside as development progresses.
Photo coming soon
Fry
Newly hatched fry are tiny and semi-transparent, frequently still carrying a yolk sac that fuels them before they feed freely. They lack full fin structure and adult coloration, staying near cover until they can swim and forage on their own.
Photo coming soon
Juvenile
Juveniles look like miniature adults but with developing fins and muted or different markings; many species shift pattern and color as they mature. Growth is rapid at this stage given clean water and steady feeding.
Adult
Adults show the species' full size, finnage, and mature coloration, and are sexually mature. Many fish develop sex-specific differences in size, color, or fin shape, which can intensify during breeding.
Color & pattern variants
Natural variants occur in the wild; selectively bred (man-made) variants were developed in captivity.
Selectively bred (man-made)
representative
Gold severum
A selectively bred yellow-gold to orange color form lacking the dark banding of wild fish, very common in the trade.
representative
Red-spotted (Rotkeil) severum
A line bred for red speckling on the face and flanks, typically derived from Heros efasciatus stock.
Habitat & enclosure
Provide at least a 75-gallon (285 L) tank for one adult, larger for a pair or community. Use driftwood, rounded rocks, and some caves with open swimming space, mimicking slow Amazon waters. The true Heros severus favors soft, acidic blackwater (pH around 5.0-6.5), while the very similar H. efasciatus, which makes up most trade stock, tolerates a wider range; most aquarium fish do well at pH 6.0-7.5 and soft to moderate hardness. Keep at 76-84F (24-29C). They graze plants, so use tough or floating species.
Substrate
Use fine sand or smooth gravel. Severums sift substrate gently and appreciate a soft bed; sand suits their foraging. A layer of leaf litter and driftwood tannins can recreate natural blackwater conditions and bring out color.
Equipment & setup
Use a strong canister or large hang-on-back filter for the bioload, a reliable heater for the upper-70s to low-80s F, and a secure lid. Moderate lighting suits the fish; dimmer light and tannin-stained water can encourage natural behavior. Keep an ammonia/nitrate test kit and a gravel vacuum for routine maintenance.
Diet
An omnivore that needs substantial plant matter. Offer a quality cichlid or omnivore pellet plus vegetables such as blanched zucchini, peas, spinach, and spirulina, supplemented with frozen bloodworms, brine shrimp, and occasional insects. A varied, vegetable-forward diet maintains color and gut health. Feed once or twice daily.
Behavior & temperament
Generally more peaceful than most large cichlids but still territorial, particularly when breeding. They can be shy and may sulk or hide if kept with boisterous tankmates, so calm, appropriately sized companions work best. A bonded pair becomes territorial during spawning. They are intelligent and interactive, often learning to recognize their keeper.
Health
Hardy with stable, clean water but sensitive to organic buildup; maintain low nitrates with regular water changes. Susceptible to ich, hole-in-the-head/HLLE linked to poor diet or water quality, and bloat from overfeeding protein. A diet rich in vegetables and good water quality prevents most issues. Quarantine new arrivals.
Tips, DIY & hacks
Most fish sold as 'severum' are actually Heros efasciatus or hybrids, which are substrate spawners; the genuinely rare true H. severus is also a substrate spawner. The mouthbrooding 'severum' of older hobby literature was reclassified in 2015 as a separate species, Heros liberifer, so do not assume a tank-bred severum is a mouthbrooder. Buy a group of juveniles and let a pair form, then rehome extras. Provide cover so shy individuals feel secure, which encourages better color and confidence. Gold and other color forms are selectively bred.
