Severum Terratoriality....

[Ryan_R]

We have what turned out to be two male green severums in our 75 gallon tank. Needless to say, one is more of a bully.

Before separating them (putting one into our "nonexistent-at-the-moment" 75 gallon tank), I'm hoping to understand the behavior of these fish a little more. How "big" is a typical severum's "terratory"? Is there a way that I can promote half of the tank "belonging" to one, and the other half belonging to the other?

I read somewhere that driftwood is used as a boundary in nature. We have driftwood (and fake wooden stumps) in the tank, but not exactly anything that suggests a line of "scrimmage".

Anyone else suffering from bickering severums?

Thanks!
-Ryan

 

[shroob]

I think in a 75 gallon, 2 male severums will fight no matter how well the tank is divided. People often say establish 2 clear territories, say a piece of driftwood on opposite sides of the tank and something to break up the line of sight inbetween, but I don't know how useful that will be as it sounds like your tank has plenty of cover.

I know how you feel though, I had 2 male severums and had to return one to the LFS, even at 4" the tank wasn't big enough.

EDIT: Just like to point out that in nature some cichlids hold territories that very, very few tanks can possibly match, its a blessing they allow partners in such a confined space

 

[ox5477]

shroob is right that some fish are just not tolerant of others in their space. If you see the one is especially more boistorous the other, return the more aggressive one and try some other tankmates with the less aggressive one. As long as you do a wc and rearrange the tank when the new fish are added, the sev should divide up the territory with the new fish.

Suggestions I have include a JD, a GT, Blue Acara, fm's, con's. Any combo of these within reason of the size limits of your tank should work

For dothers, try giant danios and sd's. A school of 6 to 8 with the danios and 4 to 6 with the sd's would add some nice movement and fullness to the tank

 

[Ryan_R]

Thanks, guys!

I guess no matter how big your tank is, it'll always be somewhat two dimensional compared to the real world. We may just get another 75 gallon tank and split these two sevs up soon. I've got a strong feeling that if we returned one to our LFS, it'd just die. Our sevs are maybe 6" long now, and I've seen too many larger cichlids die a slow death there.

Thanks a bunch for the list of compatible cichlids. I'll write that down. a GT or JD would be fun... a firemouth is high on my list. We got a "free" very teeny chocolate cichlid this morning from the LFS... we're trying to nurse back to health... might be velvet. It's bathing in acriflavine in the quarantine tank.

Thanks again,
-Ryan

 

[Dan Robbins]

severum territories in the wild may be several squared metres big, although they are a more " docile" species, will show some territorial disputes ( what cichlid doest?) but as long as sufficient cover is provided, two
males, one being dominant can successfully be kept in a tank. But on that note, every cichlid is its own at the end of the day, if you are getting worried about the welbeing of the smaller, maybe your lfs could take it off your hands?
A tip I would recommend would to completely change the layout of the tank, this gives them an oppertunity to re-establish their territories. Give it a shot.
Dan.

 

[Ryan_R]

Thanks, Dan!

Good tips!... Ironically the dominant one is a teeny bit *smaller* than the one he pushes around a little. I usually do switch the tank up on them quite a bit, which does a nice job turning the dominant one from "this is mine" mode to "can I hang out with you?" mode.

I'm wondering if I can take advantage of that response by putting another large mostly peaceful cichlid in the tank with them which is why I picked up a chocolate cichlid. He's pretty tiny, so it'll be a while before he can go in with them.

I think I'm definitely sold on just getting another big tank if things get worse. It'll cause a bit of an ouch on the wallet, but the LFS is a haven of death and disease... and big fish in small tanks with other big fish... with no cover. Plus, the dominant one is just a beautiful fish.

Cheers!

-Ryan

 

[Dan Robbins]

Yeah, a chocolate cichlids would be a nice addition, HOpe everything turns out alright.
You'll have to get some pics of your tank and fish up!
Dan!