Severum Cichlid

[Faythee]

I found a green severum cichlid at the LFS. I want him

He is of pretty good size. I think he will be fine with my opaline gourami and pictus catfish. I am concerned about the danios. They are purple ones about 2 inches long or more. Will he eat them ???

I just transferred from a 10 gal. tank to a 75 gal. tank and used my old media in new filter. Should I wait a while before adding more fish....such as him ?

I am thinking they may let me pay for him and keep him a while for me....not sure. Poor thing is cooped up in a tiny tank right now at the store.

 

[cheesy feet]

I found a green severum cichlid at the LFS. I want him

He is of pretty good size. I think he will be fine with my opaline gourami and pictus catfish. I am concerned about the danios. They are purple ones about 2 inches long or more. Will he eat them ???

I just transferred from a 10 gal. tank to a 75 gal. tank and used my old media in new filter. Should I wait a while before adding more fish....such as him ?

I am thinking they may let me pay for him and keep him a while for me....not sure. Poor thing is cooped up in a tiny tank right now at the store.

I'd get him now, shouldn't be much of a bioload.They're wonderful fish, I usto breed mine, I think the male was sterile though, they're dead now Anyway just watch his aggression as he grows with the opaline gourami, should be fine however.They love cichlid sticks, pellets, peas, and bloodworm.If they're (the danios) more than 2 inches they will be fine, they shouldn't pay much attention to them.

 

[Faythee]

Hmmmm. Why would I need to be concerned with the gourami ? A territorial thing ? He is MUCH bigger than the gourmai. I think he is already mature. He is quite big. $49

I am going today to get a lot of slate rock for caves. That way the fish can get away from him if they need to.

 

[cheesy feet]

They're still cichlids so they will have a bit of aggression, and it may think of the gourami as a threat to its territory.Unlikely but still possible.
The danios will probably act as diversion fish, so the severum will feel more relaxed, and occupated with them.

 

[Faythee]

Thank you cheesy !

My ph is 7.5, and temp 78 F. Does this seem okay for him ? I know I will need to add more salt to the tank.

 

[dthoffsett]

Severums don't need salt added to their water. You might check over in the New World Cichlid section for more information since they are South American cichlids.

 

[Faythee]

OOPS

Thanks to whoever moved this for me.

Well even though I transferred my filter media from the 10 to the 75 I woke up this morning and tested my water. I have .25 ammonia and .25 nitrite. I hope it doesn't continue to climb

So for now I will have to pass on the new fish. Hopefully I will find another in the near future. I am going to get an ammonia remover for my filter today. Anything else I should do ?

 

[cheesy feet]

Thank you cheesy !

My ph is 7.5, and temp 78 F. Does this seem okay for him ? I know I will need to add more salt to the tank.

Tis fine for a severum.DO NOT add any salt to there water.

OOPS

Thanks to whoever moved this for me.

Well even though I transferred my filter media from the 10 to the 75 I woke up this morning and tested my water. I have .25 ammonia and .25 nitrite. I hope it doesn't continue to climb

So for now I will have to pass on the new fish. Hopefully I will find another in the near future. I am going to get an ammonia remover for my filter today. Anything else I should do ?

Change the water

 

[severum boy]

How big is he out of interest?

 

[Faythee]

I would say he is about 6 to 8 inches. Will let ya know when I get him...If I do.

I added some "prime" to my water to help remove the ammonia. I only used half a dose and will do a 25% water change. Guess best thing will be frequent water changes until my filter catches up. What a pain....its not like I can use those 3 gallon buckets anymore. I bought one of those Python cleaners...that helps.

I normally add 1 tblsp. aquarium salt per 10 gallons for my other fish. Will that be alright ?

 

[funkyhoney]

I don't think that amount of salt will hurt any fish, I usually use 1tablespoon per 20L which is about twice that amount in total. Just remember that salt will stay with the water in your tank, you only need to add salt for the amount of fresh water you're adding.

Products like Prime, Cycle, Ammo-lock and Stress Zyme should help get your filter up to speed

 

[Faythee]

Now my ph has dropped from 7.5 to about 6.6 to 6.8 Why would that be, in like 2 days. Strange. I added a rock cave last night using slate. Only thing I can think of. Shouldn't effect my ph at all, right ? Hmmmm. In my 10 gal. it ranged from 7.0-7.5. Maybe I am being paranoid. Is this fish hardy ? I mean...as long as I do water changes and keep up...think it will be okay ? He is $50 USD....not cheap. Even more so would hate to stress him out, much less kill the guy/gal. I need some assurance here or tell me to move on and forget him....which I am having a hard time doing.