Severum cichlid

Identity and search names

Single-species profile for Heros efasciatus. Preserve the permanent AquaNexus ID and route; retain former scientific combinations and trade names only as searchable aliases. Search names include Severum cichlid, Heros efasciatus, Banded cichlid, Cichlasoma severum.

Environment and housing

Large footprint, strong filtration, robust decor and broken sight lines.

Feeding and nutrition

Feeding ecology: Omnivore with a strong plant and fruit component; provide varied plant-rich prepared food with measured invertebrate protein

Feeding routine: Small appropriate meals based on age and body condition

Breeding and reproduction

Biparental substrate spawner; a pair cleans a site, guards eggs and larvae and may defend free-swimming fry

Breeding plan: Biparental substrate spawner; a pair cleans a site, guards eggs and larvae and may defend free-swimming fry Parental care: Biparental guarding of eggs, larvae and fry.

Compatibility plan

Tankmates need comparable size, confidence and water requirements.

Filtration and aeration

Filtration: Use mature biological filtration sized for the adult group and feeding load, with protected intakes and a flow pattern suited to the species.

Aeration: Maintain dependable gas exchange and dissolved oxygen with surface agitation or supplementary aeration while preserving sheltered resting areas.

Maintenance

Test water routinely, remove waste and uneaten food, service filtration without destroying biofilm and review stocking as animals mature.

Adult projected load

Adult projected load includes mature body mass, social-group size, territorial space, oxygen demand, feeding waste and breeding output.

Welfare and risk

Maintain the stated adult space and social structure, verify feeding and intervene early when injury, exclusion, weight loss, abnormal respiration or altered behaviour appears. A bonded pair can become highly territorial, and soft plants may be eaten. Do not treat juveniles as permanent residents of a small community tank.

Main risk: A bonded pair can become highly territorial, and soft plants may be eaten. Do not treat juveniles as permanent residents of a small community tank.

Biosecurity and release

Never release fish, fry, eggs, aquarium water, sediment, plants or live foods into drains, dams or natural waterways. Confirm current Australian import conditions and South Australian possession, trade and movement rules before acquisition or transfer.

Overridable warnings

Warnings may be overridden only after adult size, group structure, filtration, aeration, compatibility and maintenance capacity are recorded.

Sources

• Eschmeyer’s Catalog of Fishes — Heros efasciatus — Taxonomy — accepted name, original combination, synonyms and distribution cross-check
• IUCN Red List search — Heros efasciatus — Conservation — current assessment and wild-provenance cross-check
• PIRSA — South Australian noxious fish list — Australian biosecurity — current South Australian possession and trade restriction cross-check
• DAFF — importing live ornamental fish to Australia — Australian biosecurity — current national live-fish import pathway and permitted-species warning
• Catalog of Fishes — current nomenclature — Current fish taxonomy and synonymy
• AquaNexus editorial policy — Independent synthesis, scope and source-policy control