Green Turquoise Severum

fish description – Green Turquoise Severum Care Guide ($Heros\ efasciatus$ ‘Turquoise Green’ Strain)

Category	Detail
Scientific Name	$Heros\ efasciatus$ (‘Turquoise Green’ Strain)
Common Name	Green Turquoise Severum, Banded Cichlid, Hero Cichlid
Origin	Amazon River Basin (Selectively Bred Strain)
Adult Size	6–8 inches (15–20 cm) (Can reach 10+ inches in ideal conditions)
Temperament	Peaceful for a cichlid, but territorial when breeding; will eat very small fish
Lifespan	8–10+ years
Care Level	Intermediate (due to size, waste production, and potential for digging)

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Appearance and Sexual Differences

 

• Short Description: A large, high-bodied, laterally compressed cichlid with a sloping head.¹⁰ This strain features a striking greenish-blue or turquoise base color, often overlaid with dark, fading vertical bands.¹¹ It is known for its personable nature, similar to other large South American cichlids.¹²

   

• Coloration: Vivid turquoise/blue base color.¹³ Juveniles have pronounced vertical bands that usually fade as they mature.¹⁴ Males are generally larger, develop brighter facial markings on the gill plates (“worm lines”), and have more elongated, pointed dorsal and anal fins.¹⁵ Females are rounder-bodied.¹⁶

   

• Fins: Large, pointed dorsal and anal fins.¹⁷

   

• Behavior: Generally peaceful, but they are cichlids and will establish territories.¹⁸ They are known for digging and uprooting plants and exhibit strong parental care when breeding.¹⁹ They are active swimmers in the mid-to-upper water levels.

   

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Tank Requirements and Water Parameters

 

• Minimum Tank Size: 55 gallons (200 liters) is the minimum for a single fish or young pair.²⁰ 75 gallons or larger is recommended for adult fish or a small group.²¹ A long tank is ideal for swimming.

   

• Schooling: Can be kept singly, in a monogamous pair, or in a small group. Keeping them in groups helps diffuse internal aggression, but they will become territorial when spawning.²²

   

• Temperature: Tropical range: ²³$75^\circ$–²⁴$84^\circ\text{F}\ (24^\circ$–²⁵$29^\circ\mathrm{C})$ (stability is essential).²⁶

   

• pH Level: Soft, slightly acidic to neutral water: 6.0 to 7.5.²⁷ They are sensitive to high nitrates and require strong filtration (canister filter recommended) and regular weekly water changes (25–30%).

   

• Aquascape: Requires a soft sand substrate (as they like to dig/sift).²⁸ Provide plenty of hiding spots using large rocks, caves, and large pieces of driftwood.²⁹ Hardy plants (e.g., Anubias, Java Fern, Vallisneria) are preferred, as they may uproot or nibble on softer plants.³⁰ Leave open swimming space.

   

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Diet and Feeding

 

The Green Turquoise Severum is an omnivore with a significant need for plant matter.

• Staple Diet: High-quality cichlid pellets or flakes.³¹ The diet must be varied.

   

• Supplementation: A large portion of their diet should be vegetable-based.³² Offer blanched fresh vegetables (spinach, zucchini, peas) and spirulina/algae wafers frequently.³³ Supplement with protein (frozen bloodworms, brine shrimp, krill) but avoid excessive fatty meats.

   

• Schedule: Feed small portions once or twice a day. They are enthusiastic eaters and may become boisterous during feeding.

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Compatibility

 

• Caution: Will opportunistically eat any small fish (Neon Tetras, small rasboras).³⁴ They may uproot or nibble soft-leaved plants.³⁵ Mated pairs are aggressive and territorial toward all other tank inhabitants.³⁶

   

• Good Tank Mates: Other large, robust, peaceful to semi-aggressive South American fish. Examples include Angelfish (similar size), larger Tetras (Congo, Black Skirt), Geophagus cichlids, large Catfish (Plecos, Synodontis), and Loaches.

 

meta description – Green Turquoise Severum (⁷$Heros\ sp.$) care guide: Large, peaceful South American cichlid (up to 8 inches).⁸ Needs 55+ gallon tank, warm water, powerful filtration, and a diet balanced with plant matter.⁹

 

fish description – Green Turquoise Severum Care Guide ($Heros\ efasciatus$ ‘Turquoise Green’ Strain)

Category	Detail
Scientific Name	$Heros\ efasciatus$ (‘Turquoise Green’ Strain)
Common Name	Green Turquoise Severum, Banded Cichlid, Hero Cichlid
Origin	Amazon River Basin (Selectively Bred Strain)
Adult Size	6–8 inches (15–20 cm) (Can reach 10+ inches in ideal conditions)
Temperament	Peaceful for a cichlid, but territorial when breeding; will eat very small fish
Lifespan	8–10+ years
Care Level	Intermediate (due to size, waste production, and potential for digging)

Export to Sheets

---

 

Appearance and Sexual Differences

 

• Short Description: A large, high-bodied, laterally compressed cichlid with a sloping head.¹⁰ This strain features a striking greenish-blue or turquoise base color, often overlaid with dark, fading vertical bands.¹¹ It is known for its personable nature, similar to other large South American cichlids.¹²

   

• Coloration: Vivid turquoise/blue base color.¹³ Juveniles have pronounced vertical bands that usually fade as they mature.¹⁴ Males are generally larger, develop brighter facial markings on the gill plates (“worm lines”), and have more elongated, pointed dorsal and anal fins.¹⁵ Females are rounder-bodied.¹⁶

   

• Fins: Large, pointed dorsal and anal fins.¹⁷

   

• Behavior: Generally peaceful, but they are cichlids and will establish territories.¹⁸ They are known for digging and uprooting plants and exhibit strong parental care when breeding.¹⁹ They are active swimmers in the mid-to-upper water levels.

   

---

 

Tank Requirements and Water Parameters

 

• Minimum Tank Size: 55 gallons (200 liters) is the minimum for a single fish or young pair.²⁰ 75 gallons or larger is recommended for adult fish or a small group.²¹ A long tank is ideal for swimming.

   

• Schooling: Can be kept singly, in a monogamous pair, or in a small group. Keeping them in groups helps diffuse internal aggression, but they will become territorial when spawning.²²

   

• Temperature: Tropical range: ²³$75^\circ$–²⁴$84^\circ\text{F}\ (24^\circ$–²⁵$29^\circ\mathrm{C})$ (stability is essential).²⁶

   

• pH Level: Soft, slightly acidic to neutral water: 6.0 to 7.5.²⁷ They are sensitive to high nitrates and require strong filtration (canister filter recommended) and regular weekly water changes (25–30%).

   

• Aquascape: Requires a soft sand substrate (as they like to dig/sift).²⁸ Provide plenty of hiding spots using large rocks, caves, and large pieces of driftwood.²⁹ Hardy plants (e.g., Anubias, Java Fern, Vallisneria) are preferred, as they may uproot or nibble on softer plants.³⁰ Leave open swimming space.

   

---

 

Diet and Feeding

 

The Green Turquoise Severum is an omnivore with a significant need for plant matter.

• Staple Diet: High-quality cichlid pellets or flakes.³¹ The diet must be varied.

   

• Supplementation: A large portion of their diet should be vegetable-based.³² Offer blanched fresh vegetables (spinach, zucchini, peas) and spirulina/algae wafers frequently.³³ Supplement with protein (frozen bloodworms, brine shrimp, krill) but avoid excessive fatty meats.

   

• Schedule: Feed small portions once or twice a day. They are enthusiastic eaters and may become boisterous during feeding.

---

 

Compatibility

 

• Caution: Will opportunistically eat any small fish (Neon Tetras, small rasboras).³⁴ They may uproot or nibble soft-leaved plants.³⁵ Mated pairs are aggressive and territorial toward all other tank inhabitants.³⁶

   

• Good Tank Mates: Other large, robust, peaceful to semi-aggressive South American fish. Examples include Angelfish (similar size), larger Tetras (Congo, Black Skirt), Geophagus cichlids, large Catfish (Plecos, Synodontis), and Loaches.