Imagine a fish that looks like a work of art. Its body resembles an artist's canvas, with a mixture of emerald, gold, ruby, and even turquoise strokes. This is the cichlasoma severum, one of the most beautiful and charismatic inhabitants of the aquarium world.
These fish are often called “false discus” because of their tall, flattened body. But severum is an independent and very interesting star. Their coloration is not just a bright outfit, but a living picture that can change with age, mood, and living conditions.
Behind its bright appearance lies an intelligent and observant fish with a distinct personality. Severums are capable of recognizing their owner, showing curiosity, and forming stable pairs. Keeping these cichlids is like having a fascinating dialogue with nature right in your living room.
Life in the wild
In nature, Cichlasoma severum can be found in the waters of South America. Populations of this species live in the Amazon, as well as in the Rio Negro and Orinoco river basins. They are sometimes found in other freshwater bodies in Brazil, Havana, Colombia, and Venezuela. This fish does not like fast currents, preferring calm areas. It stays closer to the bottom in places where there are many sunken branches and snags.
The population is now developing in the Nevada River basin. The species was introduced there by humans. The conditions suited the fish, and they began to reproduce rapidly in their new territory.
Appearance
Outwardly, they resemble their relatives, discus fish. The body resembles a disc, slightly flattened on the sides. In the wild, they can reach a length of up to 20 cm, but domestic fish are smaller, no more than 15 cm. The dorsal fin extends to the tail. The anal fin, which frames the fish's body from below, is also elongated. The small mouth is surrounded by thick lips.
In nature, cichlids are inconspicuously colored. Their color varies from light brown to dark brown. Brightly colored fish are more common in aquariums, their colors being the result of the work of breeders.
Females and males are similar, with little sexual dimorphism. It is not easy to determine the sex of the fish on your own.
However, there are a number of indirect signs that can help you determine whether you are looking at a female or a male:
- the scales of females are duller and more monochromatic.
- females have a dark blue or black spot on their dorsal fin.
- the forehead of males is more convex.
- the anal and dorsal fins of males are more pointed.
Care and maintenance
If 200 liters is sufficient for a mixed-sex pair, then 500 liters will be needed for three fish. Cichlids tolerate temperature fluctuations easily: they will feel comfortable at +20-28 degrees Celsius. But it is better if the temperature is closer to +25.
Acidity should be set between 6.5 and 7.5 pH (although fish can tolerate an increase in this parameter up to 8.0 pH). Hardness should be between 6 and 18 GH. Lighting should be dim: cichlids do not like bright light.
Fish need clean water. Therefore, up to 20% of the aquarium volume will have to be changed daily. Special preparations should be used to purify the water.
For example, to properly prepare the water, you can use a bacterial preparation.
Prodibio BIO DIGEST
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It will help establish the biofiltration process and remove organic contaminants from the aquarium.
Feed your pet both animal and plant food. Live food (bloodworms, worms, shrimp), pieces of vegetables or underwater plants are useful. Meat is not suitable, as it can lead to obesity or other pathologies. Another solution is to buy cichlid chips, possibly with spirulina extract, such as Microbe-Lift Vita Flakes.
Breeding
To stimulate the fish to reproduce, the temperature is raised by 2-3 degrees, and the water is changed twice a week by 25%. The pair forms on its own. The fish are transferred to a 150-liter spawning tank. There, they first swim around in circles, connecting their mouths. Then the female lays her eggs (300 to 1,000 eggs) on a flat surface, and the male fertilizes the clutch.
Both parents care for the eggs for a week. They continue to care for the fry, feeding and protecting their offspring for another 1.5 months until the fry grow up. Then the small fish can be transferred to dry baby food.
Subspecies
There are several subspecies of severum:
Small red spots are scattered across the yellow body
Yellow fish, males have an orange mask
The body is blue, covered with dark green stripes, with a green tint
Greenish-olive body, orange fins, orange stripe behind the head
Golden-olive body, red belly, adult specimens have a dark green stripe near the tail
Compatibility
Since these fish are aggressive towards members of their own species, it is not recommended to keep more than one pair per aquarium. A school can only be kept in a large tank. Then there will be no need to defend their territory, and there will be enough space for everyone. In a small aquarium, males will start fighting. Clashes are also possible between individuals of different sexes.
Small fish are not the best neighbors. Slow veiltail fish are also not suitable for cohabitation. To prevent cichlids from attacking other aquarium inhabitants, neighbors should be similar in size and temperament. For example, astronotus and armored catfish.
More care tips:
Advice for owners
The aquarium will need to be covered with a lid. Cichlids, when frightened, are capable of jumping out of the aquarium.
The shape of the aquarium will affect the appearance of the fish. In a narrow, tall container, the pet will grow more actively in width. If the tank is long and low, it will stretch in length. However, only young individuals can be influenced in their development. If an adult fish is transferred to a new aquarium, its body will not begin to change.
The Severum cichlid is a real aquarium beauty, seemingly created to impress. Its body shimmers with shades of green, gold, and blue, and on its sides, it looks as if someone has carefully painted a dark spot — like the mark of a large feather. Even when calm, it looks proud and bright, and when excited, its colors become even deeper and more saturated. This is not just a fish — it is a living picture that comes to life before your eyes.
Video review of Cichlasoma severum
The Cichlasoma severum is not just another fish in the aquarium. It is a real painting in motion, a living decoration that can transform any underwater world. Its amazing palette and noble forms give the observer aesthetic pleasure every day.
Keeping these cichlids is an exciting challenge for aquarists. They require attention to detail: spacious housing, high-quality water, and the right neighbors. But all this is more than compensated for by their interesting behavior, individuality, and the special bond that develops between owner and pet.
With a responsible approach, seahorses become long-lived and full-fledged members of your home world. They teach us patience and care, and in return give us endless curiosity and beauty. This is not just a hobby, but a whole story spanning many years, filled with bright colors and vivid emotions.
