Orange Shoulder Severum

Opposite in disposition to the red terror, severums try to get along with everyone, unless they fit in their mouth. These are gentle cichlids and grow to about eight inches, with bright orange-colored shoulders and green, red and yellow highlights throughout the body of the adult. At two inches please do not be discouraged by the lack of color; the orange shoulder begins to appear as the fish approaches three inches.

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.