Turquoise Severum Care Guide - Aquarium Setup, Diet & Breeding

The Turquoise Severum is a striking colour form of the Severum cichlid, recognised for its blue-green to turquoise sheen over a deep, laterally compressed body. Depending on the strain, the scales may show metallic blue highlights, while the fins often carry warm orange, red or golden edging. Dark vertical markings can become more noticeable when the fish is stressed, displaying or breeding.

Although generally less aggressive than many large Central American cichlids, Turquoise Severums are intelligent, assertive fish with individual personalities. They investigate their surroundings, recognise routine activity and may rearrange objects or uproot plants while establishing a territory. Adults become more territorial during spawning.

In the wild, Heros efasciatus inhabits quiet tributaries, flooded forest margins, lakes and sluggish sections of rivers. These environments are often shaded by overhanging vegetation, with submerged roots, branches and leaf litter providing cover and structure.

The turquoise appearance is primarily associated with aquarium-bred strains rather than a distinct naturally occurring species. As they mature, these fish develop a calm but imposing presence and are best appreciated as a substantial feature cichlid rather than a small community ornament.

Turquoise Severums are a selectively coloured form of Heros efasciatus, a South American cichlid native to slow-moving waters and floodplain habitats in the Amazon and neighbouring river systems. The species occurs across parts of Brazil and other areas of the northern and central South American basin.

Allow at least 300 litres for a single adult or a compatible pair, with a larger aquarium preferable for a community. A footprint of around 120 × 45 cm is a practical minimum, while extra length and floor area are valuable for territorial behaviour. Use a sand or smooth fine-gravel substrate, with sturdy wood, rounded rocks, caves and open swimming space arranged to create separate visual territories. Hardy plants attached to wood or rocks are more reliable than delicate rooted plants, which may be disturbed. Strong biological filtration, good oxygenation and regular maintenance are important for this large, messy-feeding cichlid.

Up to about 25 cm (10 inches) in total length. Males are usually larger and more robust, while females commonly reach around 20–22 cm (8–8.5 inches).

Turquoise Severums are omnivores that benefit from a varied diet. Use a quality cichlid pellet or granule as the staple, supplemented with sinking foods, frozen or live brine shrimp, mysis shrimp, bloodworm and other suitable meaty foods. They also need vegetable matter, which can be provided with spirulina-based foods, blanched spinach, shelled peas or courgette. Feed modest portions and vary the menu rather than relying on fatty or exclusively animal-based foods.

Turquoise Severums can live with peaceful, similarly sized South American fish such as larger tetras, peaceful medium-to-large barbs, angelfish, larger Corydoras, medium-sized plecos and compatible Geophagus species. Tankmates should be robust enough not to be intimidated or swallowed, but not so aggressive that they constantly harass the Severum. Avoid very small tetras, shrimp, delicate long-finned fish and highly aggressive cichlids. They may become territorial toward their own kind and other cichlids, particularly when paired and breeding.

Turquoise Severums are substrate-spawning cichlids that usually form a bonded pair. Condition a compatible pair with a varied, protein-rich diet, then provide a clean flat rock, slate tile or similarly smooth spawning surface. The female may lay several hundred eggs, which the pair fertilises and guards. Both parents typically fan the eggs and protect the wrigglers, which can be moved to a shallow pit after hatching. Free-swimming fry can be raised on newly hatched brine shrimp and finely powdered fry food.

Mature males are generally larger, deeper-bodied and more strongly marked, with longer, more pointed dorsal and anal fins. Females are usually smaller and rounder, and may show less intense patterning, although colour and fin shape vary between strains and individual fish.