Severum (Heros efasciatus)
| Severum Heros efasciatus | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Name | Severum |
| Name Lat. | Heros efasciatus |
| Family | Cichlids |
| Family lat. | Cichlidae |
| Order | Cichlids |
| Order lat. | Cichliformes |
| Origin | South America |
| Habitat | Streams, floodplains |
| Diet | Omnivore |
| pH | 5.0-7.0 |
| Behavior | Semi-aggressive |
| Keeping | Pair |
| Care Level | Moderate |
| Reproduction | Substrate spawner |
| Breeding | Moderately difficult |
| Life Span | 5-8 years |
| Protection | No |
| Metric Units | |
| Size | 20-25 cm |
| Temperature | 24-30 °C |
| Hardness | 1-10 °dH |
| Aquarium | ~ 300 l |
| US Units | |
| Size | 8"-10" |
| Temperature | 75-86 °F |
| Hardness | 18-178 ppm |
| Aquarium | ~ 80 gal |
Distribution and habitat
The eye-spotted cichlids Heros efasciatus are widely distributed in the catchment area of the Amazon, Rio Solimoes and Rio Xingu. They live in moderately flowing waters and floodplains with dense riparian vegetation, dead wood, stones and roots.
Maintenance
The aquarium should have robust planting that provides both shelter and swimming space, with roots and stones as hiding places. Soft, slightly acidic water, a dark substrate covered with some foliage (e.g. sea almond leaves) and shaded light (floating plants) is ideal.
No ammonia, ammonium and nitrite should be detectable, the nitrate value should not exceed 100 mg/l. To ensure water quality and oxygen content, a filter and heater adapted to the aquarium size is required, as well as lighting for the species-appropriate day-night rhythm of the animals.
Diet
The food supply consists of live or frozen Artemia, Tubifex, red mosquito larvae, shrimps etc. supplemented with a high quality dry food for cichlids (granules, pellets, tabs). In addition, they need regular vegetable food, such as spinach, crushed peas, algae leaves or dry food with high vegetable content (spirulina)
Only feed as much as will be eaten within a few minutes. Regular and varied feeding promotes health and increases resistance.
Behaviour and compatibility
These calm and relatively peaceful fish should be kept in pairs. During the spawning season they behave territorially and defend their territory emphatically. Group keeping is only recommended in a larger, richly structured tank. They can be socialized well with other calm and large fish. Fish that are too small are considered food.
Basically, only compatible fish species with similar demands on water quality and water temperature may be socialized.
Sex dimorphism
The sexes are difficult to distinguish. The larger males have extended dorsal and anal fins. With some experience, the sexes can be distinguished by their genital papilla, which is pointed in the male and round in the female.
Reproduction and breeding
They spawn on shallow stones or roots (open brooders). Both parents perform brood care and defend the territory (parental family). After about 2 days the fry hatch, which are then usually housed in a bottom pit until they swim freely after 5-7 days. Often the fry are still guarded by the parents for some time and led to the feeding places in the aquarium before the brood care ends.
Fry must be fed several times a day with special rearing food (Artemia nauplii). Breeding is hardly possible in community tanks, as the fry are easy prey.
Important
In the wide distribution area there are numerous site variants, which differ in drawing and coloring partly clearly. In addition, they are bred in some color morphs.
The Heros efasciatus are often confused with the similar looking Heros severus, but they are mouthbrooders
The well-being of the fish should be checked regularly. Temperature should be checked daily, pH, hardness and nitrate levels should be checked at least every 14 days. Regular partial water changes are recommended, even when contaminant levels have not yet reached the upper limit. Sudden changes in water quality should be avoided. Newly introduced fish must be accustomed slowly to the water in the aquarium
Further literature can be found in your pet store.
References
Text: Werner Winter; Image: petdata
Source: BMELV (1998): Tierschutzgutachten - Haltung von Zierfischen (Süßwasser); RIEHL & BAENSCH (2006): Aquarien Atlas Bd. 1, Mergus Verlag; ENGELMANN (2005): Zootierhaltung - Tiere in menschlicher Obhut: Fische, Verlag Harri Deutsch
- Gemäß § 21 Abs. 5 Tierschutzgesetz idgF