Severums

[Elite]

Hey, I've decided I'd like to try keeping my loaches with a nice severum or two. I love sevs, and I really, really, really want them, but I don't want them accidentally killing my loaches by digging to much. The people over at the loach part of the forum have basically convinced me that it would be fine, but I need to know everyone's experiances with digging. Has anybody here ever kept sevs with loaches before? How aggressively DO sevs dig when they're adults? Also, I heard that I could keep a pair of sevs in a 55 gal, is that true? What other SA cichlids might they get along with? How would they get along with plecos?

There's a 7 inch wild caught at petsmart...he's gorgeous and I'd really like to get him if he'd be fine with the loaches. But first I'd have to get the tank. More money out of my pocket...*sigh*, lol.

 

[impur]

They will be fine with the loaches. I had 3 clown loaches with my male GT and never had any problems. I think a sevs are about the same temperament as the GT, if anything they are less aggressive. Also, unless the sevs dig and drop the gravel/sand on top of the loaches and bury them, i don't see how this would become an issue with the loaches.

 

[rvm]

Yeah, don't know if it was your post I replied to in the loach section (probably was!!) but again, my sev does very little digging, and is the most peaceful Cichlid I have. So I don't think you'll have any problems with a sev and loaches.
I don't know about 2 in a 55g though. You may get away with it, but I wouldn't have anything else except the loaches in there (and use relatively small loaches) Definately not a plec and make sure the filtration is really good. i.e External Cannister at least!!! I know most places say Sevs get to 8", but they can get to 12" quite easily!!! Mine is about 8" now, and he's growing a little still.

 

[Elite]

I didn't mean a common pleco...not even a nice little rubbernose or bristlenose? And I can't even have a school of barbs? *sigh* I'm sure a couple sevs would fill up even a very large tank beautifully, though.

 

[rvm]

You could get a bristlenose. You'll be surprised at just how easily they'll fill up that tank!! Mine is in a 50g, and he has 2 rainbow cichlids, and a bristlenose as tankmates, and that tank looks pretty full to me.
The only thing I would have liked is to be able to add some life to the top level as it looks a bit empty up there. But oh well!
Are you going to get green or gold Sevs, and do you know if you're going to try breeding tham?
Heres my little boy just in case you were interested anyway!!
(the geo in the back has been moved since then!)

 

[Vip]

I think 2 would be ok in a 55g seeing as there not that messy of a fish but i would leave it at that or maybe one catfish.

 

[Ben]

i dont think theyll bother the loaches at all,just watch out cuz these guys do breed quiet abit so be prepared

btw nice sig Vip

 

[impur]

You could get a bristlenose. You'll be surprised at just how easily they'll fill up that tank!! Mine is in a 50g, and he has 2 rainbow cichlids, and a bristlenose as tankmates, and that tank looks pretty full to me.
The only thing I would have liked is to be able to add some life to the top level as it looks a bit empty up there. But oh well!
Are you going to get green or gold Sevs, and do you know if you're going to try breeding tham?
Heres my little boy just in case you were interested anyway!!
(the geo in the back has been moved since then!)

That looks like a Geophagus jurapari in the background, not a rainbow cichlid.

 

[Dwarfs]

He said the geo has been moved

 

[rvm]

Yup, Geo has been put in a 55g with some other tankmates, and Sev stayed in the 50g with my rainbows!!

 

[Elite]

I'm sure I want a green sev, not gold (although golds are pretty too). So 2 green sevs, a bristlenose, and my trio of yoyos? If I didn't get a second sev, as it seems that there is a little controversy about that, could I get a medium size pike cichlid instead? Or would htat be too aggressive for my setup?
Thanks!