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Banded Severum

Heros severus

Freshwater South America Usually captive bred

Often called the poor man's discus, the Banded Severum has a gentle round profile with dark vertical bars and warm olive tones. Calm and interactive, it forms loyal pairs. Be aware that it consumes live aquatic greenery voraciously, making robust wood and stone hardscapes best.

Also called: Banded cichlid, Convict fish, Deacon, Sedate cichlid.

18 cm adult length, drawn to scale. round body.

Try it in the planner Opens a tank sized to its minimum with 1 fish added.

What it needs

ItemValueBecause
Adult length 18 cm Used for the Space check: the tank must be long enough for the fish to turn round.
Smallest tank 250 L, at least 120 cm long estimated The least water and floor length this species is kept in for good, as a single fish or smallest group.
Extra water per added fish 40 L estimated What each further fish adds once the minimum is met.
Waste load Class 3 of 5 estimated How much waste an adult makes against its size. Feeds the Load check.
Temperature 23 to 29 C Stock sharing a tank need overlapping ranges.
pH 6 to 7.5 Compared with tankmates in the Water check.
Hardness GH 3 to 12, KH 2 to 6 Degrees of general and carbonate hardness.
Flow Low Low-flow fish are stressed in a strong current.
Light Dim Matched to the lighting class on the needs sheet.
Group size Single fish is fine Not a schooling species.
Temperament Peaceful Territorial: weak.
Swims in Middle water Fish that use different levels share a tank more easily.
Lifespan About 10 years A fish is a long commitment.
Experience Suits a first tank A guide to how forgiving the species is of mistakes.

Tags marked estimated are judged from the size and habits of the species rather than measured, so treat them as a sensible default.

Diet and tank layout

Banded Severum is an omnivore that swims in the middle of the tank. It eats or uproots plants, so choose hard-leaved species or none. Give it plenty of cover.

Tankmates

Works with

Depends

Avoid

Compare any two fish on the compatibility page, or print the equipment for a stock on the needs sheet. How this is worked out: the method.