Severum tank research

[fishie111]

I've posted a few threads asking about how to stock my 75G. I've been spending a lot of time (too much time, honestly) reading as much information as I can find on severums out on the web. The more research I do, the more confused I get. Sigh. I've narrowed it down to 3 possible options and would like to get some final feedback from you guys.

Option 1:
3 severum
8 boesemani rainbowfish
2 ancistrus
In this option, I've included 3 severum because I've read that they do better in groups then as singles, especially during adolescence, and having a group spreads out aggression more than having just 2. I know it's stretching it though as far as stocking levels. Perhaps if I started with a group- 3 or even more, and then rehomed some after they mature or a pair develops? If I did this could I also keep 3 or 4 keyholes in this tank understanding that there will be some rearranging or rehoming at some point in the future?

Option 2:
2 severum
4 keyholes OR 1 blue acara OR geos (#?)
8 boesemani
2 ancistrus
In this option, I went with only 2 severum because I've read that my tank can really only support 2 for life. In this option my hope would be to keep everyone in this tank for life with the exception of one of the severum if the two did not get along.

Option 3:
1 severum
4 keyholes
1 blue acara OR geos (#?)
8 boesemani
2 ancistrus
My concern about this option is whether the severum will do well as a single. (I guess I would have the same concern about the acara in both this option and option #2.)


I currently own 3 keyholes, 1 gold severum, 2 ancistrus, and 8 boesemani. I am not purchasing any more fish until I figure this out.

I have other options for the ancistrus if including them in any of these options is just too much. I could also put the keyholes elsewhere (hence but, I'd prefer to keep them keyholes in this tank if possible- even if not permanently. I could also stick with just 3 keyholes if that made more sense than adding a 4th.

If I went with more than 1 sev, would having different colors help at all with aggression?

I just want to finish my research and get on with fishkeeping!

 

[joedodge]

i have had 3 sevs in a 75 youl have aggresion a dominancy issues, one male and female will work witha couple mates , i have a male red spot and female gold with a fei feng and a thin bar datnoid but plan to upgrade sevs are like any otyher cichlid just more gental

 

[jgentry]

Definately do not do 3 severums in a 75g. You will end up with one dominate beating the crap out of the other 2 or a pair beating the crap out of the other one. If you already have one gold you would be best served either having that as your only severum or finding a mate for it. They are easy to sex so you shouldn't have any trouble finding a companion for it. What type of severum you get will not effect how aggressive they are. I also would not suggest keyholes with anything as big and agressive as severums. Severums are shy when young but can be pretty aggressive as adults. A blue acara's can also be pretty aggressive and would not get along well with keyholes.

I would think with 8 rainbows and a pair of severums in your tank would be pretty well stocked. The rainbows will eventually get pretty good size. You could do a trio of some of the smaller geo's that stay below 7 inches in you really feel the need to add something else. Very few cichlids really need the company of others of there kind to thrive. In fact having mutiples of the same cichlid almost always leads to issues instead of having a single. There are a few exceptions of course.

 

[shawn123]

I,m looking to get a red shaded gold severum. It seems a little confusing the definition between the red line and red spotted. The red spotted have been the ones I used to get until pet smart ran the better fish stores out of business around here... Now I,d like to order a red shaded gold as opposed to a green with red belly. I Don't want to order a redline if it's a green barred variety. Can someone tell me the difference .