The Red Spat Severum Cichlid

The Red Spat Severum Cichlid

​The fish featured in your original aquarium photo (image 3728.jpg) is a beautiful variant of the Severum Cichlid, specifically known as the Red Spat Severum (or Gold Red-Spotted Severum), scientifically classified as Heros efasciatus. Often called the "poor man's discus," they are native to the calm, slow-moving floodplains and river basins of the Amazon in South America.

​Appearance and Physical Features

​Vibrant Speckled Pattern: This variant boasts a warm, golden-orange or creamy-yellow base color covered from head to tail in a dense constellation of fiery red spots (or "spats").

​Discus-Like Silhouette: Severums are famous for their heavily compressed, round, and disc-like body shapes. This unique anatomy allows them to effortlessly glide vertically through submerged tree roots and dense river vegetation.

​Striking Red Eyes: They possess large, highly expressive eyes that typically feature a bright ruby-red iris, adding an intense and captivating look to their faces.

​Temperament and Aquarium Behavior

​The Gentle Giant: Compared to many other large South American cichlids (like the aggressive Green Terrors or rowdy Oscars), Severums are remarkably peaceful and mild-mannered. They generally maintain a calm demeanor, making them excellent candidates for large community tanks.

​Mildly Territorial: While peaceful, they are still cichlids. They will establish loose territories—especially around flat rocks or driftwood structures—and may chase away tank mates who wander too close, though they rarely cause any physical harm.

​Intelligent Observers: Severums are highly aware of their surroundings outside the glass. They quickly learn to recognize their owners, track movement across the room, and will calmly swim to the front of the tank whenever it's time to eat.

​Care and Habitat Requirements

​Tank Size: Because they grow to a substantial size—reaching an adult length of 8 to 10 inches (20 to 25 cm)—they require plenty of swimming room. A single adult needs at least a 55-gallon tank, while a community group or breeding pair should be housed in 75 to 100+ gallons.

​Water Parameters: They thrive in clean, well-filtered water that mimics their native Amazonian habitats. They prefer warm tropical temperatures between 24°C and 29°C (75°F to 84°F) and a slightly acidic to neutral pH of 6.0 to 7.2.

​Diet & Plant Nibbling: Severums are enthusiastic omnivores. They thrive on a staple diet of high-quality cichlid pellets or flakes, supplemented with bloodworms and krill. Note for aquascapers: They have a strong craving for vegetation and will gladly munch on soft, live aquarium plants like Amazon Swords. It is best to stick to tough plants like Anubias or Java Fern if you want your greenery to survive!