1
/
of
1
Green Severum
Green Severum
Regular price
$24.99 NZD
Regular price
Sale price
$24.99 NZD
Unit price
/
per
The Green Severum (Heros efasciatus) is a popular freshwater South American cichlid native to the calm, slow-moving waters and flooded forests of the Amazon River basin. Often affectionately called the "poor man's discus," it is beloved in the aquarium hobby for its majestic, disc-like appearance, hardy nature, and intelligent, interactive personality.
🐟 Physical Appearance & Size
- Body Shape: They feature a deep, compressed, and distinctly oval/disc-shaped body.
- Coloration: Their wild-type base color ranges from a dusky olive-green to greenish-yellow, often gleaming with an iridescent gold or blue sheen.
- Markings: Juveniles display distinct dark vertical bands across their bodies. As they mature into adulthood, they undergo a striking "glow up"—the heavy bars fade (leaving a few prominent stripes near the tail), and males develop intricate, reddish-brown "worm-like" patterns across their cheeks and gill covers.
- Size: In captivity, they typically grow to an adult length of 20 to 25 cm (8–10 inches).
🌊 Behavior & Temperament
- "Gentle Giants": Relative to other similarly sized cichlids, Green Severums are remarkably peaceful and calm. They prefer to gracefully cruise the open swimming areas of the tank without picking fights.
- Territorial Breeders: They only show notable aggression when they form a pair and begin spawning, during which they will fiercely guard their chosen nesting site.
- Owner Interaction: They are highly intelligent, quick to recognize their keepers, and will frequently swim to the front of the glass to "greet" you or eagerly take food right from your hand.
🏡 Basic Care & Tank Requirements
- Tank Size: Due to their rapid growth and substantial body mass, a minimum of 200 litres (approx. 55 gallons) is required for a single adult, though a 280+ litre (75+ gallons) tank is highly recommended for a pair or community setup.
- Water Parameters: They thrive best in tropical environments with temperatures between 23–29°C, a slightly acidic to neutral pH of 6.0–7.2, and soft to moderately hard water.
- Diet: As omnivores with a heavy natural preference for plant matter, they will happily eat high-quality cichlid pellets, frozen foods (bloodworms/brine shrimp), and fresh treats like blanched zucchini, peas, or spinach.
Share
