Severum tank mates
A large semi-aggressive cichlid at 20 cm that eats plants and needs space for a pair with territory. More peaceful than most New World cichlids of its size.
Lists below are built from this species record (safest, best with, risky, unsafe) — each link opens a pair-level check, not a guarantee.
Best tank mates (on file)
Merged from conservative safest and best with fields — de-duplicated by species.
The Severum profile lists Angelfish as both safe and a recommended pairing. Angelfish is a semi-aggressive intermediate-care species with a 150L minimum. Run the pair checker for your specific tank before stocking.
The Severum profile lists Bala / silver shark as both safe and a recommended pairing. Bala / silver shark schools in groups of 5 or more, so plan room for the whole group rather than one fish.
The Severum profile lists Boesemani Rainbowfish as both safe and a recommended pairing. Boesemani Rainbowfish schools in groups of 6 or more, so plan room for the whole group rather than one fish.
The Severum profile lists Corydoras Catfish as both safe and a recommended pairing. Corydoras Catfish schools in groups of 6 or more, so plan room for the whole group rather than one fish. Corydoras Catfish grows to about 6cm, which is borderline mouth-size for an adult 20cm Severum.
The Severum profile lists Electric Blue Acara as a recommended pairing. Electric Blue Acara is a semi-aggressive intermediate-care species with a 150L minimum. Run the pair checker for your specific tank before stocking.
Risky or situational
From risky tank mates and broad avoid with (excluding “unsafe” below). May work with species-only setups, more water, or mature systems — read the pair page.
Marked risky or situational on the profile. Tank length and group size change the outcome more than a temperament label does.
Both species defend territory. The pairing needs a long footprint and rockwork or planting that breaks the sightline between two defended spots. Run the pair checker before stocking.
Fish to avoid with Severum
From the unsafe list — predation, aggression, or space rules on this profile.
Severum is flagged as predatory or as likely to eat small fish, and Guppy at 5cm is well within an adult Severum's gape.
Severum is flagged as predatory or as likely to eat small fish, and Chili Rasbora at 2cm is well within an adult Severum's gape.
Severum is flagged as predatory or as likely to eat small fish, and Ember Tetra at 2cm is well within an adult Severum's gape.
Tank size and groups
- Published minimum for Severum: 250L — group minimum 1 .
- Compatibility changes when the tank is too short for turning, too little for a real school, or too warm for one species and not the other — that is why pair checks include tank context, not only temperament.
- Nearest litre hub to this minimum: 250L hub.
Easier alternatives to consider
Conservative beginner-peaceful picks from the library — not replacements for reading, but a shorter on-ramp than this species for a first tank.
Plan before you buy
Pair checks for every mix, then multi-species stocking in the builder.
Filtration & heating
A 250L minimum tank for Severum needs a filter rated for at least 1000L/hr turnover and a heater maintaining 24–30°C.
Similar fish (same category)
- African Cichlid — min 200L
- Convict cichlid — min 200L
- Discus — min 200L
- Firemouth Cichlid — min 200L
- Green Terror — min 300L
- Jack Dempsey — min 200L
- Keyhole cichlid — min 200L
- Oscar — min 300L