Heros Efasciatus (Severum / Deacan)

Hey guys,


I got 3 severums from a friend to start out my tank, but my initial investigation suggests that they cannot be successfully kept with... well... anything for that matter. Apparently they are quite agressive.

Any thoughts? I'm looking to get Paki Loaches, Clown Loaches, Ghost Knifefish and Fire Eel. Will I be able to keep these together, or am I slowly creating a potential underwater massacre..?

(PS: This is my first fish tank, so please don't throw bricks at me when you pass me in the street!)

 

Hi Shibby,

No, Severums are not overly aggressive. They are Cichlids and therefore will eat what goes into their mouths, but so will Black ghost knife's and Fire Eels. The Paki loaches will probably be eaten by the Fire Eel, but for the rest, I dont see a problem keeping them together.

 

i got 4 and are doing fine with my angels, tinfoils, rainbow shark and a pleco

 

Hi Shibby - shouldnt e a problem - have always found severums to be the gentle giant of the cichlid family... Only problem I have is that your 250liter tank might be a tad crowded when this lot grows up in a yaer or 2... Start saving for a bigger tank so long mate....

 

Awesome news, thanks guys... So I can proceed to get the rest of the tank family. Will post some pics once it's all done!

 

I got a pair and they proceeded to eat the eyes out of both my pangassius(killing them unfortunately) as well as one of my rosy barbs...?? Can I put them in with my other fish? ( angels, gourami's, cory's, pleco, clown loach, khuli loaches and siamese fighter)

 

I suppose seeing as pangasius could be a possble threat to the severums, they would react differently than they would normally behave around less threatening fish?

 

Well gonna try them in my other tank....hope they behave....

 

Holding thumbs for you bud! Let me know how it goes! It will determine my actions from here on... ;-)

 

@Kat .... Think you summed it up with the word "pair"... Deacons in brreding mode will give all fish in the tank a go when they are feeling broody...

 

Thats a good point azurekoi, however the damage was done when i first added the deacons to my aquarium, which was about two months ago. So they werent really a pair yet were they? I moved them out with my jewel cichlids, my eel and an angelicas cat in another tank and they are fine now. The problem is am getting a 700 litre tank hopefully the end of this week and wen it is set up- would like to put them in with the other fish as am getting rid of the jewels.
Shibby-thanks am I just the guinea pig now! lol

 

Someone always has to be the guinea pig Kat. Your time is now.

Think of it this way: Your brave gamble with the lives of innocent, unsuspecting fish will forever change the way severums are kept by the readers of this fine forum... I know a great statue guy ;-)

 

Good day Shibby.

A Fire eel appreciate different water parameters than your Deacans and it is not a fish for a novice fishkeeper.

Do your homework on the Fire eel. I had one a while ago and I was very upset when it died. It has a skin, not
scales. Your water hardness and pH must be perfect.

Good luck my man.

Lappies