Gold Severum Cichlid – Heros efasciatus
The Gold Severum Cichlid (Heros efasciatus) is a beautiful color morph of the Severum, known for its warm golden-yellow body, soft orange accents, graceful movement, and calm personality. Often described as a gentle giant among medium-sized cichlids, the Gold Severum makes an excellent centerpiece fish for larger freshwater aquariums.
Gold Severums are intelligent, personable fish that often recognize their keepers and interact during feeding time. Their peaceful to semi-peaceful temperament makes them a popular choice for carefully planned cichlid communities, larger community tanks, and semi-planted aquariums with sturdy plants.
Key Features
- Rich golden-yellow body with soft orange tones
- Peaceful to semi-peaceful cichlid temperament
- Excellent centerpiece fish for larger aquariums
- Graceful swimmer with a calm personality
- Works well with hardy plants and natural decor
- Intelligent fish that may recognize routines and keepers
Care Guide
- Scientific Name: Heros efasciatus
- Common Name: Gold Severum Cichlid
- Care Level: Easy to moderate
- Temperament: Semi-peaceful; may become territorial during breeding
- Adult Size: Approximately 7–8 inches
- Minimum Tank Size: 55 gallons or larger recommended
- Tank Level: Midwater
- Water Temperature: 75–82°F
- pH Range: 6.0–7.5
- Lifespan: Approximately 8–10 years with proper care
- Diet: Omnivore
Why Choose a Gold Severum?
Gold Severums are a great choice for aquarists who want a colorful, personable cichlid without the extreme aggression seen in many larger cichlid species. Their golden coloration adds warmth and brightness to the aquarium while their calm swimming style creates a peaceful display.
They are large enough to be a true centerpiece fish but generally calmer than many other cichlids of similar size. With proper tank size, filtration, and compatible tankmates, Gold Severums can be rewarding long-term aquarium residents.
Ideal Tank Setup
Gold Severums do best in a spacious, stable aquarium with strong filtration, clean water, driftwood, rocks, caves, and open swimming areas. They appreciate structure in the tank but also need enough room to move comfortably.
For planted setups, choose hardy plants such as Anubias, Java Fern, larger swords, or potted plants. Severums may nibble or uproot softer plants, especially as they grow, so plant selection and placement matter.
Compatible Tankmates
- Keyhole Cichlids
- Angelfish with proper space
- Peaceful Geophagus species
- Silver Dollars
- Rainbowfish
- Larger peaceful tetras
- Synodontis catfish with caution
- Plecos with proper tank size
- Other peaceful to semi-peaceful cichlids with planning
Tankmates to Avoid
- Very small schooling fish that may be eaten
- Shrimp or tiny invertebrates
- Highly aggressive cichlids
- Fin-nipping fish
- Very delicate or shy fish
- Fish that require very different water conditions
Diet & Feeding
Gold Severums are omnivores and do best with a varied diet. Offer quality cichlid pellets, flakes, spirulina foods, algae wafers, blanched vegetables, frozen bloodworms, brine shrimp, mysis shrimp, and other appropriate frozen foods.
Vegetable-based foods are important for Severums and can help support healthy digestion. A varied diet helps maintain strong color, growth, and overall condition.
Care Tips
- Use a 55 gallon or larger aquarium
- Provide strong filtration and regular water changes
- Use driftwood, rocks, and sturdy decor
- Choose hardy or potted plants if adding live plants
- Avoid very small fish and shrimp
- Feed a varied omnivore diet with vegetable-based foods
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Gold Severums aggressive?
Gold Severums are generally calmer than many cichlids, but they can become territorial, especially during breeding or if kept in a tank that is too small.
Are Gold Severums good for planted tanks?
They can work in planted aquariums with hardy or potted plants such as Anubias, Java Fern, and larger swords. They may nibble or uproot softer plants.
Do Gold Severums pair easily?
Yes. Severums can form breeding pairs, and bonded pairs may become more territorial when spawning.
How big do Gold Severums get?
Gold Severums typically reach approximately 7–8 inches in aquariums.
What size tank does a Gold Severum need?
A 55 gallon aquarium or larger is recommended for one Gold Severum. Larger tanks are better for pairs or community setups.
What do Gold Severums eat?
They eat cichlid pellets, flakes, spirulina foods, vegetables, algae wafers, and frozen foods. A varied diet with plant-based foods is best.
Can Gold Severums live with small fish or shrimp?
Very small fish and shrimp may be eaten as the Severum grows, so they are not recommended as tankmates.
Are these fish available for shipping?
No. Live fish are available for in-store purchase or local pickup only at Tropical Treasures Wyo in Cheyenne, Wyoming.
Available at Tropical Treasures Wyo
Gold Severum Cichlids are beautiful semi-peaceful centerpiece fish for larger freshwater aquariums, cichlid communities, and semi-planted setups with suitable tankmates. Visit Tropical Treasures Wyo in Cheyenne, Wyoming, to shop cichlids, centerpiece fish, freshwater fish, live aquarium plants, fish food, filtration supplies, and aquarium care products. Live livestock is available for in-store purchase or local pickup only.
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