Severum Care Help

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Attic_Octopus

Feeder Fish
Mar 29, 2025
4
3
3
23
USA
I’m trying to get ahold of the ideal water parameters for Severums. I’ve searched a bunch and can’t seem to find a clear answer anywhere. I got a wild caught Heros liberifer a while back and it seems they might have gotten hith. I’ve seen mentioned that nitrates above 10ppm can contribute to this issue as well as pH. I’m just hoping to get a clear answer on what the ideal parameters are so I can keep this guy happy.
 
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This species does best at a pH between 4 and 6, and needs enough water changes to keep nitrates as close to undetectabkle as possible.
If that means a 30% water change every other day day, then that's what is needed.
I accomplish similar nitrate levels by those type water changes, and using a heavily planted sump as filration to eat nitrates between between water changes, because, like Heros, my cichlids are herbivorous, and eat plants placed in the main tank.
Below my my normal nitrate test results.
IMG_9456.jpeg
Below thd nitrate level of the waters my cichlids come from.
IMG_4033.jpeg
 
Thank you! I did have a hard time getting this guy to eat for the first few months and had a nitrate spike as soon as they started eating. It is a heavily planted tank but I also I just set up a new canister filter for only bio filtration and I’m doing water changes every other day until it’s below 10ppm for sure.
 
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Reactions: danotaylor
This species does best at a pH between 4 and 6, and needs enough water changes to keep nitrates as close to undetectabkle as possible.
If that means a 30% water change every other day day, then that's what is needed.
I accomplish similar nitrate levels by those type water changes, and using a heavily planted sump as filration to eat nitrates between between water changes, because, like Heros, my cichlids are herbivorous, and eat plants placed in the main tank.
Below my my normal nitrate test results.
View attachment 1563347
Below thd nitrate level of the waters my cichlids come from.
View attachment 1563348
Is there an optimal GH and KH for these guys as well? I wanna make sure I get these parameters ideal for them.
 
  • Like
Reactions: tlindsey
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