Severum Choice

[The Duke]

So thinking about getting one severum for my 190 litre (approx 50 gallon) tank. Current stock is as follows:

2 pearl gouramis
5 black widow tetra
5 x-ray tetra
6 platies (big ones)
7 sterbai cory
2 Bolivian rams

What is the consensus? I really love severums and there are some juvenile gold severums at my lfs. They are about two inches big at the moment. Would it be favourable getting one at this size so as to allow it to grow with the other fish? Also, what would be the least aggressive, a male or a female?

 

[onidrase]

Severums need a 75 gallon aquarium minimum imo. They get about the size of a dinner plate, although a 75 doesn't see much larger than a 50, the extra width helps bigger fish like severums turn around in the aquarium, which would be kind of hassle in a tank with only 12-13 inch width.

 

[The Duke]

Oh right. I have read a lot of forums that say 40 gallon for one and double that for two?

 

[Wills]

No sorry, for Severums your looking at 300 liters for the Greens, Gold and Super Reds - as a minimum and for the smaller species like true Heros Severus and true Rotkiels you can go to about 240/255 liter tanks but again only as a minimum.

But certainly for a Gold your tanks not big enough sorry.

Wills

 

[onidrase]

Oh right. I have read a lot of forums that say 40 gallon for one and double that for two?

40 gallons is way too small. Although a 40 gallon breeder tank will have 18 inch width like a 75 gallon tank, it'll only be 3 feet long and 16 inches tall, put a fish that can reach a good 12 inches in diameter in that, it'll barely be able to move up and down, or side to side. 75 gallons is a good minimum. It's got 21 height and 4 feet of length, which is fine for a severum due to their general docile behavior. Still going to recommend some other species of fish. You could try for festivums, they have the same behavior, though they only get about 8 inches at best, though they're less round as well.

 

[balajake]

big cichlids require big tanks. just get a big tank, you know you want to

 

[The Duke]

And big tanks cost big money

 

[balajake]

And big tanks cost big money

you could try ebay or gumtree. my 360lt cost me £130 off gumtree with the cabinet and lighting.