Red Spotted Severum

The Red Spotted Severum is a colour variety of Heros efasciatus developed through selective breeding, emphasising and intensifying the red-orange spotting and vermiculation that naturally appears on the face, gill plates, and flanks of mature wild-type males. In this variety, the red spotting is more extensive, covering a larger portion of the body and often extending into the dorsal and anal fins.

The base body color is typically golden-yellow to olive-gold, similar to the Gold Severum, but with the added visual complexity of the red spotting overlay. In well-conditioned adult males, the red markings can be intensely vivid, creating a striking contrast against the golden-yellow ground color. Females generally show less red coloration and are slightly smaller.

Biologically and behaviourally identical to other Heros efasciatus varieties, the Red Spotted Severum is a large, robust, generally peaceful cichlid reaching up to 20 cm. It inhabits the same Amazonian and Orinoco river habitats as the wild species and adapts well to a range of aquarium conditions.

Like other Severums, this variety is a biparental open spawner and breeds readily in the home aquarium. The species is valued by cichlid hobbyists as a relatively large, visually stunning fish that integrates well into community setups with other robust species, provided the tank is adequately sized.

Tank Setup Minimum 200 liters for a single adult; 350 liters for a pair or group. Fine gravel or sandy substrate, large driftwood, smooth rocks, and robust attached plants. Provide ample open swimming space. Strong canister filtration to manage bioload. A tight-fitting lid prevents accidental jumping.

Water Parameters Temperature 23–29°C, pH 6.0–7.5, GH 4–15, KH 2–8. Adaptable to a range of conditions; prefers warm, slightly soft water. Carotenoid-rich feeding and good water quality help maintain vibrant red coloration. Perform 25–30% weekly water changes.

Feeding Omnivorous; feed quality cichlid pellets supplemented with colour-enhancing foods high in astaxanthin or canthaxanthin to maximize red pigmentation. Offer frozen krill, bloodworms, brine shrimp, and occasional blanched vegetables. Feed twice daily. A varied diet supports both health and optimal coloration.

Tankmates Same as Gold Severum: excellent for large community cichlid setups. Compatible with similarly sized peaceful to semi-aggressive South American cichlids, large Plecos, and robust catfish. Avoid very small tankmates or highly aggressive species. Multiple Severum varieties can often be kept together in large tanks.

Breeding Identical to Gold Severum breeding. Open spawning on flat surfaces; biparental broodcare. Both parents guard the fry vigorously. Raise fry on baby brine shrimp progressing to crushed pellets. Spawning pairs may show increased territorial behavior toward other tankmates; monitor and rearrange décor or add visual barriers if aggression escalates.