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.
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.
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.






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