Aggressive Severum Help!

[Max L]

I have a 45 gallon tank containing 1 medium-sized severum, 1 juvenile German blue ram, an assassin snail, and 4 candy cane tetras. In December I tried introducing 2 medium-sized angels because I used to keep angels and was feeling nostalgic. So I bought and quarantined the angels then introduced them. The severum (I think it’s the severum because he’s the tank boss, could be the ram) killed 1 angel and severely injured the other. So I took the angel out and nursed him back to health, then last week I tried re-introducing him. I changed things from last time, I took everyone out and put everyone in, rescaped, and left the tank dark for 24 hours. But it didn’t work, the severum tore up its fins so severely he couldn’t swim, I had to put the angel out of its misery. I’m getting frustrated because the severum is actually really shy, and it’s out of his character to beat the angels, I mean he’s gotten along with the ram fine. So my plan right now is to redo the tank, keep the severum but move the tetras and ram somewhere else and add four fully-grown adult angels. Could this work? I know we’re talking about cichlids, but I find it hard to believe that a juvenile severum could kill off 4 full grown angels. Any ideas?

 

[exodus1500]

Severums are still cichlids and you can get aggressive ones. With that said, 40 is kinda small for a severum to be with with anything else. I have about 20 adult severums throughout my tanks and I haven't had any aggression between then and angelfish, but they have more room.

 

[BalaBabu]

Hi, as exodus pointed out, 45 is small for a severum.My friend bought four severums two yellow and two green at a size of 2 inches to leave them with his two oscars (who were of same size) and angels in his 125 gallon tank.He thought as severums are mildly aggressive when compared to other chichlids and shy type, they will get along fine.But one fine day one green severum from them, became too agressive and dominant that he killed the other 3 severums and angels and beat up the oscars.Finally he was left with that one dominant fish, which he gave to LFS.
As they are also cichlids, you can never judge an individual fishs temperament.So its better to be safe and leave him with rams and tetras, as he is fine with them, and introduce some other fast moving small varities rather than bringing angels back in adult form that again may be a mess as it may or may not workout.

 

[jmf]

Hi, as exodus pointed out, 45 is small for a severum.My friend bought four severums two yellow and two green at a size of 2 inches to leave them with his two oscars (who were of same size) and angels in his 125 gallon tank.He thought as severums are mildly aggressive when compared to other chichlids and shy type, they will get along fine.But one fine day one green severum from them, became too agressive and dominant that he killed the other 3 severums and angels and beat up the oscars.Finally he was left with that one dominant fish, which he gave to LFS.
As they are also cichlids, you can never judge an individual fishs temperament.So its better to be safe and leave him with rams and tetras, as he is fine with them, and introduce some other fast moving small varities rather than bringing angels back in adult form that again may be a mess as it may or may not workout.

I just got a severum to go into my 65g with my 2 Blood parrots. He is still in qt. I thought they aren't aggressive and everything will be fine, until I just read this.....

 

[Nick Park]

I have 3 severums. They don't like blood parrots and the parrots don't like them either. I have plenty of rock work in the tank with loads of caves and tunnels, so there's enough hiding places to make sure none of the chasing ends in bloodshed.
Neither the severums nor the blood parrots show significant aggression towards mbuna or catfish, so it seems like the aggression is directed towards fish with similar body shapes.

 

[davemal]

I had a neon tetra that was very aggressive some fish just are. If you only have a few fish in your tank the angels might be more of a target.

 

[Max L]

Hi, as exodus pointed out, 45 is small for a severum.My friend bought four severums two yellow and two green at a size of 2 inches to leave them with his two oscars (who were of same size) and angels in his 125 gallon tank.He thought as severums are mildly aggressive when compared to other chichlids and shy type, they will get along fine.But one fine day one green severum from them, became too agressive and dominant that he killed the other 3 severums and angels and beat up the oscars.Finally he was left with that one dominant fish, which he gave to LFS.
As they are also cichlids, you can never judge an individual fishs temperament.So its better to be safe and leave him with rams and tetras, as he is fine with them, and introduce some other fast moving small varities rather than bringing angels back in adult form that again may be a mess as it may or may not workout.

Hi, as exodus pointed out, 45 is small for a severum.My friend bought four severums two yellow and two green at a size of 2 inches to leave them with his two oscars (who were of same size) and angels in his 125 gallon tank.He thought as severums are mildly aggressive when compared to other chichlids and shy type, they will get along fine.But one fine day one green severum from them, became too agressive and dominant that he killed the other 3 severums and angels and beat up the oscars.Finally he was left with that one dominant fish, which he gave to LFS.
As they are also cichlids, you can never judge an individual fishs temperament.So its better to be safe and leave him with rams and tetras, as he is fine with them, and introduce some other fast moving small varities rather than bringing angels back in adult form that again may be a mess as it may or may not workout.

Okay. I’ll avoid angels, maybe introduce some more tetras if I can find them, Candy Canes are hard to come by.

 

[Backfromthedead]

I had a neon tetra that was very aggressive some fish just are. If you only have a few fish in your tank the angels might be more of a target.

lol how many fish did you lose to the vicious neon?

 

[BalaBabu]

lol...

 

[jmf]

Hey don't laugh, I had a super aggressive Murray river rainbow (there is a lot of different types Australian rainbows). He would attack my bristlenose and anything else.