My geophagus abalios are doing well and I’d like to add a severum or two to fill out the upper regions of the tank. A local importer has both heros liberifer and Heros severus available...any thoughts on which one to go with? I’ve kept efasciatus before but not familiar with either of these varieties.
Heros severus or Heros liberifer?
- Thread starter Sonofthunder
- Start date
If you have a higher pH water, liberifer might be a better choice.
In nature severus prefer pH below 6 (down to near 4), whereas liberifer can be found in more varied water parameters (white, tannin stained, just about any type).
There have been reports though, that liberifer is prone to HLLE in pH above 7.5, especially as they get older.
When I kept severus many years ago, I had trouble with hole in the head as they aged in pH 7-7.5, not immediately acute, but after maturity it became harder and harder to keep them looking good.
Of course if your tap water is low pH, either would be fine..
In nature severus prefer pH below 6 (down to near 4), whereas liberifer can be found in more varied water parameters (white, tannin stained, just about any type).
There have been reports though, that liberifer is prone to HLLE in pH above 7.5, especially as they get older.
When I kept severus many years ago, I had trouble with hole in the head as they aged in pH 7-7.5, not immediately acute, but after maturity it became harder and harder to keep them looking good.
Of course if your tap water is low pH, either would be fine..
I’d go with Severus. I have 7 currently and love them, way better colors imo. Make sure to get 2 females per male if they’re big enough to sex ( females have plain blue faces, males have markings) as males tend to be aggressive toward one another. I’m sure
ryansmith83
is the best person to ask about heros compatibility as they are his passion. I keep mine with cichla and crenicichla
ryansmith83
is the best person to ask about heros compatibility as they are his passion. I keep mine with cichla and crenicichla
Unfortunately severus are not always easy to sex because females also have facial markings and appear to be males until right before spawning starts.
They are the most aggressive Heros species; they will dominate a tank and constantly chase and pick at each other. I’ve had dominant males snap and kill subordinate males and females. They are arguably the most beautiful species, but also one of the largest and most belligerent. In the wild they are blackwater-restricted so they do best in warm water with a low pH and nearly zero hardness. I raised mine in tap water but they do get HITH if you let the water changes slip, as most blackwater cichlids do.
H. liberifer are not quite as rough but they hold their own well. They are also large growing. Both liberifer and severus can easy reach 11 - 12” if you achieve optimal growth. While liberifer are not as flashy and colorful, they usually make great community fish and keep to themselves unless spawning. Even then, my pairs always raised fry in the community tanks with only mild aggression toward tankmates, whereas severus pairs will take over an entire 6’ tank and torture everything in their sight. Liberifer are also mouthbrooders so their parental behaviors are fascinating to watch, and it’s one of the reasons they are able to adequately defend fry in a community setup.
Overall they’re both great species but they definitely have different personalities and levels of care. I find liberifer to be a bit more adaptable in general as they are not blackwater-restricted fish. They do still appreciate the water changes though. Neither species does well in less than optimal water quality (high nitrates and dissolved organics).
They are the most aggressive Heros species; they will dominate a tank and constantly chase and pick at each other. I’ve had dominant males snap and kill subordinate males and females. They are arguably the most beautiful species, but also one of the largest and most belligerent. In the wild they are blackwater-restricted so they do best in warm water with a low pH and nearly zero hardness. I raised mine in tap water but they do get HITH if you let the water changes slip, as most blackwater cichlids do.
H. liberifer are not quite as rough but they hold their own well. They are also large growing. Both liberifer and severus can easy reach 11 - 12” if you achieve optimal growth. While liberifer are not as flashy and colorful, they usually make great community fish and keep to themselves unless spawning. Even then, my pairs always raised fry in the community tanks with only mild aggression toward tankmates, whereas severus pairs will take over an entire 6’ tank and torture everything in their sight. Liberifer are also mouthbrooders so their parental behaviors are fascinating to watch, and it’s one of the reasons they are able to adequately defend fry in a community setup.
Overall they’re both great species but they definitely have different personalities and levels of care. I find liberifer to be a bit more adaptable in general as they are not blackwater-restricted fish. They do still appreciate the water changes though. Neither species does well in less than optimal water quality (high nitrates and dissolved organics).
