Fish
Severum
Heros severus · also called severum cichlid, banded cichlid
Drifting through flooded forest with a deep, disc-shaped body that invites easy comparison to a much more delicate relative, a severum shows off the bold vertical banding of youth, a pattern destined to soften into mottled adult colouring within its first year or two of life.
Overview
The severum, Heros severus, is a deep-bodied, moderately calm cichlid native to wetland and rainforest river habitat across the Amazon and Orinoco river basins of South America. Its disc-like body shape often compared to the discus, dramatic shift from boldly banded juvenile to mottled adult patterning, and comparatively even temperament for its size make it one of the more approachable larger cichlids kept in aquariums worldwide.
A discus look-alike with a hardier disposition
While its deep, rounded body invites constant comparison to the discus, the severum is a considerably hardier and more forgiving fish, tolerating a wider range of conditions than its more delicate, distantly related look-alike.
Status
Least Concern, remaining widespread across suitable wetland and rainforest river habitat throughout the Amazon and Orinoco basins.
Severum: common questions
Is the severum related to the discus?
Only distantly, despite the frequent comparison, since both species share a deep, laterally compressed, disc-shaped body plan within the wider cichlid family, but the severum belongs to a different genus and is generally considered a hardier, more adaptable fish than the more sensitive discus.
Does the severum keep the same pattern its whole life?
No, juveniles of this species display bold, dark vertical banding across the body, a pattern that gradually fades and becomes more mottled or blotched as the fish matures into adulthood, a significant visual change from young fish to full adult colouring.
Is the severum an aggressive cichlid?
This species is considered relatively calm for its size, generally less aggressive than many other similarly large cichlids, though like most cichlids it can still become notably more territorial when breeding or defending a mate and young.
Where does the severum live in the wild?
This species is native to wetland and rainforest river habitat across the Amazon and Orinoco river basins of South America, where it forages among flooded forest and blackwater stream environments.