Friends for my Sev

[bl00]

I've been doing some research and I'm wondering what suggestions people have of tankmates for my severum. He's about two inches long right now and I feel like he's getting a bit lonely with only a few tetras and a maccus pleco in his 29. I'm interested in a fish (or few) that will encourage him to be more outgoing and relaxed, as he's been pretty shy overall. He will be going into at least a 55 once he's fully grown, but I'd prefer to arrange the stocklist to keep him as the main focus of the tank.

 

[Slim2634]

maybe a nice festivum or a firemouth and some black skirt tetras would be a nice small-medium school to show off your severum.

 

[TwistedPenguin]

I like how you think I got my male Sev when he was the size of a nickel at PetsMart, he's absolutely gorgeous now and 6" around a year later and still growing.
I can tell you what I've had in with him the past year that he's done great with and you can get some ideas. I've had:
Pearl Blue & Gold Gouramis
Hatchetfish
Silver Dollars
Clown Loaches
Lots of Cory Cats
Royal Plec
Female Bettas
He'll accept anything except other Cichlids

Hey-how's he doing, by the way?

 

[bl00]

I do like the idea of a festivum alot, although the only ones I can find around here are considerably bigger than the sev. I worry that this could scare him some...though if I can find a juvie I'll be all about it.
I'm definitely debating some corries or a nice big school of emporer tetras (which I think will look great with his gold coloring).
A keyhole has crossed my mind as well, though I wouldn't want its skittishness to rub off on the sev (assuming thats possible).

 

[japes]

Another Severum personally, depends how aggressive your current Sev is though; which doesn't sound like very aggressive.

For a 55 you're pretty limited as Severum get prettybig. Festivum would be your next best option, but I prefer housing multiple species of fish together.

2 Severum, some Hatchetfish or High-Bodied Tetra, a smaller Pleco species like your Common Bristlenose, Panaque sp. depending what's available, etc. and a handful of Corydoras would go well in a 55. Don't overdo it just because the tank looks big like everyone else does!

 

[bl00]

I've also found some information that says sevs can be shyer if they don't have a large enough tank. While the 29 seems presently very reasonable to his 2 inch size to me, does anyone think that it could be a factor in his behavior?

Also, I love the idea of another sev, but I worry about them needing more than a 55.

 

[craig_uk]

I've currently got 2 sevs in a 55, they have a fair bit of room. But its a little tight for my tastes, but hell, im picky

i'd go 2 sevs too, super red or a rokteil... but again, im pretty fancy

 

[bl00]

Haha...i do love the idea of combining my gold with nice orange and red flecks and a nice rotkeil or turquoise. I know with some cichlids that having only two of a species can create very unbalanced aggression, is this common with sevs?

Would it be too much to have a school in there with them and possibly a small pleco or two?