Description
A fish with real character which needs a large aquarium to remain in good health.
A fairly generalised species, the Mouthbrooding severum can be found in clearwater, whitewater and blackwater environments. Like its relatives, this fish favours habitats which feature slow water movement and shelter in the form of waterlogged wood and debris. In these surroundings, their body shape enables them to navigate through a complex matrix of cover where large predators cannot follow. During periods of low water, fish seek refuge amongst such cover until floodwaters return.
Their aquarium should be spacious and include areas where these bulky fish can feel secure, as well as being roomy enough to allow for free swimming and the inevitable begging behaviour that these fish will indulge in when they see their owner. Severums can be kept in groups or pairs, especially in the case of this species where slow maturation makes them hard to sex as youngsters – buying a group of mixed sizes should guarantee that both sexes are present. Should a pair choose to spawn in a community setting, they will become aggressive toward the other fish as they guard a spawning site. Visual barriers and a roomy aquarium will allow other fish to escape the pair’s attentions. Outside of spawning, ‘Sevs’ are placid for their size and can be kept with a range of tankmates that are too large to swallow whole. As well as other peaceful cichlids, this can include large, deep-bodied tetras, barbs and rainbows. In a large enough aquarium, they will thrive as a group and can be thought of as enormous Angelfish, with similar social dynamics.
