Gold Severum

Many in the trade confuse the banded severum with the gold severum and the red spotted severum. Though the same species, each of these fish is a different variation. The gold severum is the original severum introduced to aquarium hobbyists a century ago, bred from wild species to get a solid gold color and a hardy disposition. Gold severums have been an aquarium staple for beginners and experts for generations.

The green banded severum has a green body with vertical black stripes, often gets red shoulder markings as it matures, and is wild-caught in Colombia and Peru. The red spotted severum, pond-raised in Florida and Taiwan, looks like a gold severum with red dots over the body. The red spotted severum needs a little more care, similar to discus.

Quick Facts

Care Guide

Tank setup: Give them a sand or fine gravel bottom, driftwood, rocks and sturdy plants. Good filtration is important, since these cichlids grow large and produce a lot of waste.

Feeding: Feed a quality cichlid pellet or flake once or twice a day. They also enjoy frozen foods like bloodworms and brine shrimp.

Tankmates: They do well with other peaceful South American cichlids of similar size like angelfish, eartheaters and severums, plus larger tetras, silver dollars and plecos. They may eat very small fish.

Good to know: These cichlids are known for their personality and often learn to recognize their owners.