Severum ?

[matty1985]

Just got 4 severums to grow out and hopefully get a pair but one of the golds aint doing to well just sits on the bottom barely moving, wont eat, all levels are ok in the tank.

Any ideas ?

 

[JAB]

Tank size? Is the tank cycled? Filter? Dimensions?

No one will be able to answer your question if you do not supply adequate information.

It's like asking a complete stranger 'am i going the right way?'

It's just unanswerable, hope I don't sound too rude but to help you we need to gain a basic understanding of your setup.

Josh.

 

[matty1985]

The tank is 55 gallon, tank has just finished cycle, i have 2 internal filters, both 300 litre, tank is 3 foot by 2 and a half foot. All water reading are good .

 

[star4]

There could be loads of reasons, but I will try and help. Firstly I would suggest a water change, I know you said the water is fine, but see if it perks the fish up any. How is it breathing? does it have rapid gill movements or is it relaxed? If a water change helps, monitor it over the next couple of days, you may need to add more surface aggitation, or an airstone.
 
In my experience with severums even small ones can be little bullies, it maybe you have 3 males and one female or all male, golds are harder to sex unfortunately. A subordinate of the group will spend time stressed out hiding, speaking of which how much cover do you have in the tank? I would say add some large plastic plants and lots of wood to break up as much eye contact as possible, if the one that is not doing so well then starts to pick up once he/she has a hiding spot then you know that is the problem.
 
How long have you had them? it could be that it is just sick. Fish will go a while without eating so no need to overly worry yet, check its poo is normal, if its white and stringy it could be a worm problem and you would need to treat them all with an antiparasitic medication, also check for any signs of red worms hanging from its anus camallanus, these are nasty little blighters, these can affect fish eating. If it is camallanus worms, you need a medication called sera nemotol, its the most affective against these worms.
 
Or the fish could be suffering a bacterial problem, daily water changes can help, if the fish improves continue water daily water changes then gradually reduce them back to the normal weekly water change. If it doesnt improve with daily water changes then a boost with an antibacterial medication maybe needed.
 
Stress could also be a factor, being moved, new environment, note getting on with its tank mates all could be a factor. To get a sick fish to have an interest in food you can try soaking food in garlic (this is also has natural antibacterial properties) or you can try a product called Vitazin, this has added vitamins, you just soak the food in it, I have had great success using this with some very sick fish.
 
I am assuming they are still quite small as you state in your opening post that you are growing them out. Hope this helps.

 

[matty1985]

Thanks for your advice will do as you have suggested, cover in the tank is pretty good fake plants, rocks and fake tree branch with hiding spots, I have a big air stone. Gills are fine but breathing a little fast compared to other fish. Only had the fish for 4 days so maybe stress could be the answer, as for bullying im not sure cause its the second biggest fish out of the group, not much difference in size as there only very small.

One other quick queston, how fast do they grow, I will get a bigger tank for a pair when needed, as I have been told that 55g is to small for a pair, never seen a fully grown severum in the flesh .

 

[star4]

Growth rate does depend on tank size. I bred rotkeil severums and had over 30 in a 4 x 2 x 2 tank, they got to about 3" and slowed down growing. A full grown severum is usually approx 8" but I have a 9-10" red spot (he is a monster), you can expect them to be fully grown at around 12 months old, given the right conditions, I would say a 300l tank for a pair, if you are planning on breeding you will also need spare tanks for the fry, and a spare tank to separate the pair if necessary as the males can tend to bully the female into spawning again too soon, and you may need to separate them to give the female a break and time to recover as spawning and raising fry is stressful. Continued spawning can result if poor quality fry.
 
As for the one you have, if its the second largest, and the largest is male, then the second largest would be the prime target to be bullied by the "top" fish as the smaller ones would not be so desirable to the female. However if you have only had them 4 days this may not be the case..yet, but be prepared just in case. With cichlids you can never really guarantee 100% what they will do, I have 3 male Belem that live happily together, but my red spot HATES other severums, where my other red spot I had lived happily with a male gold and female rotkeil, no spawning they just all got on.. Just keep an eye on the one that is acting odd, he may perk up, do small daily water changes as I suggested and see what happens.
 
Hope this helps.