Gold Severum

Gold Severum (Heros cf. efasciatus)

A stunning, peaceful cichlid with personality and color to match.

The Gold Severum is a long-standing favorite among cichlid keepers, and it’s easy to see why. With its eye-catching golden body and vibrant orange markings that intensify with age, this beautiful fish makes a fantastic addition to a spacious community or semi-aggressive aquarium.

A selectively bred color variation of the wild Green Severum, the Gold Severum is native to calm, slow-moving rivers and lakes across South America. In the aquarium, it brings a calm and graceful presence, often forming loose groups as juveniles before becoming more independent as they mature.

Aquarium Setup & Compatibility

Gold Severums thrive in aquariums with a sandy substrate, driftwood, clay pots, and rocky hiding spots. While they may nibble soft plants, they usually leave most aquarium plants alone—especially hardier, rooted, or attached varieties.

They're generally peaceful and can be kept with other non-aggressive to semi-aggressive tankmates that are too large to be seen as prey. During breeding, territorial behaviors may increase, so it’s best to give them ample space. Gold Severums are most tolerant of tankmates they've grown up with—so if possible, raise them alongside their future tank mates.

Avoid keeping them with ornamental invertebrates, as their natural curiosity can lead to trouble.

Feeding

Gold Severums are easy to feed and not fussy eaters. Offer a balanced mix of high-quality pellets, frozen or live protein-based foods, and vegetable matter (like spirulina, blanched greens, or shelled peas) to maintain their health and coloration. Variety is key to keeping them vibrant and active!

Why We Love Them

✔ Gorgeous gold and orange coloration that intensifies with maturity
✔ Calm temperament for a cichlid of its size
✔ Hardy and full of personality
✔ Can be bred in home aquariums
✔ A true centerpiece for medium to large tanks

Recommended Tank Parameters:

• Temperature: 22°–29°C (72°–84°F)

• pH: 5.5–7.2

• KH: 1–8

• Minimum tank size: 75 gallons for one, 125+ gallons for a group

Care Overview:

• Diet: Omnivorous – a mix of quality dry, frozen, live foods + vegetable matter

• Behavior: Social as juveniles, semi-territorial adults (especially during spawning)

• Origin: Tank-bred; native to the Amazon and surrounding regions

• Adult Size: 20–25 cm (8–10 inches)

• Purchase Size: ~2.5 cm (1 inch) juveniles available now