Spotted Severum
Heros notatus
The Spotted Severum (Heros notatus) is a semi-aggressive fish that's rewarding to keep. Give it a tank of at least 220 litres (58 US gallons), water held at 72-84°F, and a pH of 6.5-7.5.
Captive lifespan reflects typical experience in a home aquarium, not maximum recorded age; genetics, sourcing, and care vary.
Natural distribution
South America
- South America
Regional colours match the stocking calculator's origin map.
Spotted Severum Tank Setup
Give them at least 220 litres (58 US gallons). Cichlids are territorial and produce plenty of waste, so strong filtration and some rocks or wood to break up sight lines both help. Aim for 72-84°F and a pH around 6.5-7.5. They grow to around 30 cm, so plan the tank size and filtration for a full-grown adult rather than the small juvenile you see in the shop.
What Do Spotted Severums Eat?
They're not fussy eaters - feed a varied diet, rotating good-quality dry, frozen, and gel foods rather than the same thing every day, and match the food size to their mouths.
Spotted Severum Tank Mates
Requires a large tank and good filtration. The Spotted Severum is semi-aggressive, which is the first thing to weigh up when you choose tank mates. At around 30 cm fully grown, it needs tank mates that can hold their own against its size and appetite. Before you buy, run your full stocking list through our stocking calculator. It weighs temperament, adult size, and water needs together, which a single species page can't do on its own.
Are Spotted Severums Good for Beginners?
Care demand varies by line and setup. Match the care level to how often you actually test and change water.
Spotted Severum - frequently asked questions
What size tank do Spotted Severums need?
Spotted Severums need a tank of at least 220 litres (58 US gallons). A bigger tank is always easier to keep stable, and gives them more room to settle in and behave naturally.
What water parameters do Spotted Severums need?
Keep them at 72-84°F with a pH of 6.5-7.5, steady rather than chased to an exact figure. In a cycled tank, ammonia and nitrite should both read 0 ppm, with nitrate kept low through regular water changes.
What do Spotted Severums eat?
Spotted Severums are omnivores and aren't fussy eaters. Feed a varied mix of good-quality dry, frozen, and gel foods, and match the food size to their mouths. Feed small amounts once or twice a day, and remove anything they don't eat.
Are Spotted Severums good for beginners?
It depends on the setup. Match Spotted Severums to how often you actually test water and perform maintenance.
Common mistakes with Spotted Severums
- Underestimating tank size - the minimum footprint is 220 litres (58 US gallons); impulse buying into a smaller tank leads to stress and shortened lifespan.
Building a community? Run the full list through the stocking calculator before you add anything else.
Great tank mates
Chosen from temperament, overlapping temperature/pH bands, plausible minimum tank footprints, and size versus yours in App-aquatic data. Hobby nuance always wins - verify stocking and temperament before purchasing.
Check Spotted Severum against any other fish → Compares water parameters, predation risk, fin nipping and tank size, and draws both at life size.
Fish to avoid mixing with Spotted Severums
These well-known species are commonly sold alongside this fish but are not recommended tank mates - verify before purchasing.
- Pea PufferPredator - Pea Puffer will eat or injure smaller tank mates
- Serpae TetraFin nipper - will shred the fins of peaceful fish
- Tiger BarbFin nipper - will shred the fins of peaceful fish
