Heros Efasciatus Green Severum Care Guide
Heros efasciatus is the green severum that fills most LFS cichlid tanks across Singapore, often labelled simply “green severum” or “severum heckelii” by sellers who may not know the difference. It is the larger, hardier substrate-spawning cousin of true Heros severus, and its forgiving nature makes it the ideal first medium-sized cichlid for hobbyists ready to graduate from rams and angelfish. Practical heros efasciatus green severum care revolves around tank space, varied diet and consistent water changes. This guide from Gensou Aquascaping at 5 Everton Park covers the full setup for an efasciatus pair or community.
Identification and Adult Size
Mature efasciatus reach 22 to 25 cm, with males developing extended trailing edges on the dorsal and anal fins and a higher forehead profile. Body colour ranges from pale green-gold to a deep emerald with vertical bars that fade with age. The “red shoulder” and “rotkeil” varieties popular in Singapore are line-bred efasciatus showing red coloration on the upper flanks. They are not separate species, just selected colour morphs that command higher prices.
Tank Size for Efasciatus
A pair needs 120 cm length and 50 cm depth minimum, ideally 150 cm for breeding behaviour to develop fully. A community of one pair plus dither fish demands a 180 cm tank. Solo specimens suffer in cramped quarters; this is a fish that cruises lazily and needs swimming room. For an HDB Singapore setup, a 5-foot 360 litre tank is the realistic commitment. Floor loading on standard HDB slabs is comfortable up to that size with a steel-reinforced cabinet.
Water Chemistry From PUB Tap
Efasciatus is more tolerant than severus, accepting pH 6.0 to 7.5, kH 2 to 8 dKH, gH 3 to 12, and 25 to 28°C. PUB tap at pH 7.5 and kH 2 to 3 sits at the upper edge but works without RO blending. A modest driftwood load and weekly 40% water changes keep parameters stable. Nitrate ceiling is 30 ppm; above that, colour fades and pitting develops. The aquarium water change guide sets a baseline cadence worth following.
Substrate and Hardscape
Use fine sand or smooth small gravel; efasciatus dig less than oscars but still rearrange rooted plants regularly. Two or three large smooth stones for visual divides and one substantial driftwood centrepiece create the territorial structure pairs need. Avoid sharp rocks; efasciatus will collide with them when startled. Refer to the aquascape using sand and rocks no soil guide for layout principles that work for efasciatus.
Plant Choices That Survive
Efasciatus eats plants. Soft tissue species like Rotala, Hygrophila and Cabomba disappear within a week. Survivors include Anubias barteri tied to driftwood, Microsorum pteropus, Bolbitis heudelotii, large Echinodorus and tough Cryptocoryne wendtii. Floating plants such as Amazon frogbit and water lettuce both dim the lighting and provide cover for fry. The aquascape with cryptocoryne only approach works well for efasciatus tanks.
Diet and Feeding Schedule
Severum diet leans 70% plant matter and 30% protein. Quality vegetable-based pellets, blanched courgette, deshelled peas, spirulina sticks and the occasional Repashy Soilent Green form the base. Supplement twice weekly with frozen bloodworm, mysis or krill. Heavy meat diets cause bloat and shorten lifespan. Two meals daily, no more than the fish can eat in two minutes per feed, prevents waste accumulation.
Tank Mate Compatibility
Pair efasciatus with similar-sized peaceful South Americans: festivums, geophagus, large pencilfish, hatchetfish and Bolivian rams. Add a shoal of larger tetras like Buenos Aires or Columbian for movement. Avoid fin-nippers, aggressive cichlids like green terrors, and any fish small enough to fit in a severum mouth. Plecos work; bristlenose and clown plecos coexist comfortably without competition. The aquascape for corydoras tank approach scales for efasciatus communities.
Substrate Spawning Behaviour
Pairs spawn on a vigorously cleaned flat stone, slate tile or broad driftwood face. The female lays 200 to 1000 eggs depending on age, both parents fan and guard. Hatching takes 3 to 4 days, free-swimming fry appear at day 7 and stay near the parents for 2 to 3 weeks. Triggers include a 30% cool soft water change and a small temperature drop. Pairs form from a juvenile group of six raised together; forced pairings rarely succeed.
Singapore Sourcing and Pricing
Standard green and gold efasciatus juveniles run $15 to $25 at C328, Y618 and Iwarna. Red shoulder and rotkeil morphs sit at $40 to $80. Adult breeding pairs reach $200 plus depending on colour quality. Quarantine all new arrivals for two to three weeks; gill flukes and internal parasites are the most common shipped issues. A single praziquantel and metronidazole course during quarantine is worthwhile insurance.
Common Health Concerns
Hexamita and head-and-lateral-line erosion appear in tanks with chronic high nitrate or low oxygen. Bloat from inappropriate diet is the most common adult death cause. Skin fungus and bacterial fin rot show up in tanks with poor maintenance hygiene. Maintain weekly 40 to 50% changes, feed appropriately, and most efasciatus will live 10 to 12 years without serious illness.
Long-Term Display Notes
A mature efasciatus develops striking head profile and fin extensions by year four, peaking in colour and behaviour through year eight. A chiller holding 26 to 27°C in Singapore HDB conditions improves longevity and colour intensity. The investment of $400 to $700 for a chiller pays back in fish health over a decade.
Related Reading
emilynakatani
Still Have Questions About Your Tank?
Drop by Gensou Aquascaping — most walk-in questions get answered in under 10 minutes by someone who has set up hundreds of tanks.
5 Everton Park #01-34B, Singapore 080005 · Open daily 11am – 8pm
