Three Severums Together...

[SouthernCross]

Hi all,

I have two green severums - I have posted pictures before of them HERE. There is still a lot of chasing of the slightly smaller male by the dominant female. In recent weeks however he has started doing a little 'shimmy' in front of her and his colours more closely match hers while he does this. But then he goes back to the paler colour. I don't know whether that means there is potential for a pair there or not.

But back to my main question - I saw some beautiful gold severums in my LFS - first time I have seen golds here. I was wondering if keeping severums as a trio was a terrible idea - on the one hand if I introduced another it might stop my dominant female picking exclusively on the male, but then on the other hand if the ones I have ARE a pair eventually - would that spell big problems for the gold severum if I do get one?

Just wondering on thoughts as to whether this is workable or not. Has anyone ever kept three together without it turning ugly? These gold severums I saw are quite small at the moment too. If possible, would it be best adding another male or female?

Its a 450 litre (I think roughly 125 gal).

 

[Dieses Madchen]

I have two together myself and they seem to get along fine. Considering most the time I never see them aggressive, it could be that your are showing potential breeding behavior. How old are they and about what size are they?

 

[thereverendturtle]

Your tank is large enough for a second pair. Why not get a pair of golds? If issues arise in the future, you can always return one pair.

 

[SouthernCross]

I have two together myself and they seem to get along fine. Considering most the time I never see them aggressive, it could be that your are showing potential breeding behavior. How old are they and about what size are they?

I have had them probably about 4 - 6 months, not really sure. But they were a decent size when I got them. Their bodies are probably about the size of my palms (excluding fingers).

Your tank is large enough for a second pair. Why not get a pair of golds? If issues arise in the future, you can always return one pair.

I'm not sure if I want another pair - there's quite a lot of other fish I have/want to have in future and each severum takes up a fair chunk of bioload - I just really liked the look of the golds and I was wondering if a trio was recipe for trouble or not, or whether anyone else has done it.

Given my female is the massive bully, I am wondering whether it would be better getting another male, or whether if I got another female she would attack it.

 

[Davo86]

I did post a response here last night but it somehow hasnt appeared???

Anyway There isn't really enough room for 2 pairs of common severum, which could potentially max at upto 10-12" also 3 is only asking for trouble, your greens may have paired up or the male may want to but the female might not have accepting him if he is much smaller and less dominant, adding another will increase chances of a pair but will mean the odd one out will no doubt be subject to a lot of aggression.

 

[SouthernCross]

I did post a response here last night but it somehow hasnt appeared???

Anyway There isn't really enough room for 2 pairs of common severum, which could potentially max at upto 10-12" also 3 is only asking for trouble, your greens may have paired up or the male may want to but the female might not have accepting him if he is much smaller and less dominant, adding another will increase chances of a pair but will mean the odd one out will no doubt be subject to a lot of aggression.

TBH I think the female wants to and he doesn't, she is the one doing the constant chasing! She is always the rich dark green and he is always much paler and shows the bar at the back of the tail. I thought maybe adding a third might help take the heat off him a bit but I guess its not a good idea...

 

[star4]

If you want to keep a group of severums go for the same sex (tank permitting). I have a group of 3 belem's they look stunning together, but I made sure I had all males, stops any squabbling then.

 

[SouthernCross]

Wouldn't you know it..... They have paired up and laid eggs this weekend!!! Currently guarding them.... What are the chances of their first batch hatching? A gold sev would definitely be off the cards now...

 

[dougie]

Wouldn't you know it..... They have paired up and laid eggs this weekend!!! Currently guarding them.... What are the chances of their first batch hatching? A gold sev would definitely be off the cards now...

arguing & having babies....now that sounds familiar
The course of true love never did run smooth !
congrats

 

[SouthernCross]

There must be something in my water this weekend cos my new kribs have disappeared into their cave..... Two pairs of cichlids spawning at the same time...... I think I'm going to have some trouble on my hands!

Only good thing is that both pairs are towards the same end of the tank, so at least the other fish can retreat down the other end...

 

[SouthernCross]

They ate them