Sharphead Eartheater
Satanoperca acuticeps
- Care level
- Advanced
- Adult size
- 15–22 cm
- Minimum tank
- 450 litres
- Temperature
- 25–30 °C
Species profile
Severum Cichlid
Heros efasciatus
Common names: Severum Cichlid, Banded Severum, Green Severum
Recognized speciesCichlids
Adult size
Up to 25 cm
Typical adult length 18–25 cm.
Up to 25 cm
Countries of origin
Good fit for your tank?
Good fit for
- Mature planted aquarium setups
- Intermediate shrimp keepers
Think carefully if
- The aquarium contains shrimp-eating fish
- The tank is newly cycled
- Water conditions change frequently
The common aquarium severum, a deep-bodied Amazonian omnivore and frugivore that needs a spacious tank and plant protection.
Appearance and Identification
A deep oval cichlid with vertical bars, a dark caudal mark, red or orange spotting, and green, gold, brown, or domestic colour forms.
Most common aquarium severums are H. efasciatus or its strains, not true H. severus. Collection data and breeding behaviour help separate them.
Males may become larger with longer dorsal and anal extensions and stronger facial markings. Females become fuller before spawning.
Tank Requirements
- Suggested filter
- About 700–1,050 litres an hour
- Suggested heater
- About 350–525 W for this tank
- Minimum tank volume
- 350 litres
- Minimum tank length
- 150 cm
- Minimum group size
- 2
- Recommended group size
- 5
- Activity level
- Moderate
- Flow preference
- Low
- Planting preference
- Moderately planted
- Hiding places
- Yes
- Lid recommended
- Yes
- Jumping risk
- Low
Provide a large aquarium with wood, rocks, open swimming room, strong filtration, and tough or protected plants. A group requires more space than a pair.
Behaviour and Tankmates
Generally peaceful for a large cichlid but territorial during pairing and breeding.
Can be kept as a pair or group in a large tank. A hierarchy develops among adults.
Pairs defend flat spawning surfaces and fry.
Suitable with robust peaceful medium to large fish. Avoid tiny fish, shrimp, aggressive cichlids, and delicate plants.
Water Parameters
Warm soft to moderate water is suitable. Stable clean conditions and a varied diet support long-term health.
Parameter caveat
This species eats or uproots many plants. Do not confuse it with the mouthbrooding true H. severus when planning breeding information.
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Manual aquarium siphon and gravel cleaner
A manual siphon for routine aquarium water changes and accessible waste removal. The seller lists a hose approximately 1.6 m long.
Control the flow and keep the intake clear of fish and delicate planting. Clean the areas appropriate for your substrate and layout rather than disturbing the entire planted bed.
Daraz NepalCheck availability on Daraz
Feeding
- Diet types
- Herbivore, Omnivore
- Feeding frequency
- Daily
- Preferred foods
- Quality sinking cichlid pelletUse a staple pellet appropriate to the fish size and mouth shape.
- Chopped shrimp, mussel, or earthwormOffer clean unseasoned portions as rotating protein foods.
- Blanched leafy greens or peasUseful for omnivorous and plant-eating species; remove leftovers promptly.
- Frozen krill or mysisFeed in moderation to add variety and support colour.
An omnivore with a strong natural component of fruits, seeds, leaves, and other plant matter.
Include leafy greens, quality spirulina foods, and vegetables. Avoid a protein-heavy diet.
Breeding
- Breeding type
- Egg Layer, Substrate Spawner
- Breeding difficulty
- Moderate
- Breeding temperature
- 27 °C
- Breeding pH
- 6.5
- Brood or egg count
- Up to about 1,000 eggs.
- Incubation
- 3 days
- Parental care
- Biparental care
- Baby foods
- Newly hatched brine shrimpSuitable after yolk absorption for most cichlid fry.
- Crushed high-quality cichlid pelletIntroduce gradually as fry grow.
- Finely chopped frozen cyclopsUseful supplementary food for larger fry.
A biparental substrate spawner. Up to around 1,000 eggs may be placed on flat stones or roots and guarded by both parents.
Habitat and Origin
- Geographic origin
- Amazon Basin, Brazil, Peru, South America
- Natural habitat
- Estuary, Floodplain, Slow River, Vegetated Shoreline
- Aquarium contexts
- Breeding Aquarium, Freshwater Aquarium, Freshwater Community, Large Freshwater Aquarium
- Audience level
- Intermediate
Classification
- Profile type
- Recognized species
- Genus
- Heros
- Family
- Cichlidae
- Species group
- Cichlids, Fish, South American Cichlids
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Sveni Eartheater
Geophagus sveni
- Care level
- Intermediate
- Adult size
- 15–22 cm
- Minimum tank
- 400 litres
- Temperature
- 24–29 °C
Uaru Cichlid
Uaru amphiacanthoides
- Care level
- Advanced
- Adult size
- 20–30 cm
- Minimum tank
- 600 litres
- Temperature
- 26–30 °C
Whitespot Eartheater
Satanoperca leucosticta
- Care level
- Advanced
- Adult size
- 15–20 cm
- Minimum tank
- 400 litres
- Temperature
- 24–29 °C