Severum's New Tank Mates

[randallhart]

Well I've just added two kribs to go with my severum. And ever since he's been showing a lot more color. He's a green severum and when he gets close to the kribs, it seems he's turning a more black color. Is this a normal reaction to new tank mates? And can an introduction to new tank mates make my severum have more vibrant colors?

 

[randallhart]

Anyone?

 

[ox5477]

Most all cichlids (i believe) show this coloration feature. As we can show emotion by facial expressions, cichlids can show their emotion by changing their body coloration. Usually turning a dark black is a territorial or aggressive posture. He may be trying to show the kribs whos boss as he may feel threatened by two new fish all of a sudden being introduced into his territory. He might recede back to his normal color eventually but in the long term, aggression may occur and someone could end up getting hurt (ie the kribs when the sev gets bigger)

 

[vancouver]

The good thing about the situation is that kribs are mostly bottom dwellers. If you ever do see aggression, put a bunch of pvc pipe along the bottom of the tank, and your kribs will be fine...

Kribs are pretty tough little guys though.. they definitely can defend themselves to a certain point.

 

[randallhart]

Thank you. The severum seems to have gotten used to them and only has 6 stripes start to to black sometimes not his hole body.