Golden Severum

The Golden Severum is a captive-selected colour variety of Heros efasciatus, a large cichlid from the Amazon and Orinoco river systems. The natural dark banding of the wild form is greatly reduced or absent in the Golden morph, replaced by an attractive golden-yellow body colouration that intensifies in well-fed, healthy individuals. Mature males develop worm-like orange facial markings called vermiculations that are a hallmark of male Heros cichlids.

Severums are considered among the most peaceful of the large cichlids, making them excellent candidates for very large community aquariums with other robust but non-aggressive species. They are long-lived, intelligent, and form pair bonds that they may maintain for years, with both parents participating in brood care.

The Golden Severum's combination of large size, peaceful disposition, and attractive colouration makes it a popular choice for the centrepiece fish role in large aquarium displays.

Water: 23–28°C, pH 6.0–7.5, soft to moderately hard; tolerant of a range of conditions once established. Tank: Minimum 250L; can be kept with other large, peaceful to moderately aggressive cichlids and large catfish. Feeding: Omnivore; cichlid pellets, frozen foods, vegetable matter such as cucumber and blanched spinach. Breeding: Flat rock substrate spawner; pair bond; both parents guard eggs and fry. Compatibility: Semi-aggressive; compatible with large Amazonian species, medium-large tetras, and catfish.