Shy Severum advice needed

[cideon]

So the long story is that I needed a cichlid growout tank, to find a couple of cichlids I could eventulally put with my oscar in a 150 gallon. Originally it had been a 40gal breeder, which had a Peruvian Severum, a Firemouth, and one of the Petsmart "Red Texas", that I had thought was a mislabeled Green Texas, but was actually a FH. He kept the FM and the Sev hiddn all the time. So they left him (he is much happier solo; which is how I think I will kep him after how I've read finign tankmates for them is a truly difficult matter) and went into a diff growout tank, a 55gal, along with 7 Tiger Barbs as temp dither fish, plus a Convict and a Jack Dempesy. These two latter ones are about an inch long, and both happy to go where they please, which is funny based on their size. They do stick around each other, so I wonder if they're friends? But anyway, the Firemouth is about an inch and 3/4 long, and he started getting braver after a few days. He lets me see him and watches me back, he only hides really when I move too quickly. The Sev however... he stays hidden only marginally less than he used in the 40. And he hasn't colored up like he was in his Sev tank at the LFS. He is the biggest one in the tank, about 2 inches, possibly 2 and a quarter (and from what I had heard that I used to base my stock list, they are normally more peaceful than other cichlids, but have their size to back them up against others). There are four caves, and two other sort-of-cave-things in the tank. He has taken the biggest one with the most entrances, so that's where he stays.

TLDR version: What size tank is big enough for either a Sev growout, or big enough for his adult size? What, if any, tankmates could he have that might make him less scared (in either these two tank options)? Or is this a temporary thing, and how long should I wait before I get him out and into somewhere else?

 

[fish042099]

Severum would be fine in a 40, I have mine in one. Later maybe a 55 or a 75 with tankmates. Mines gonna be moved and be alone in a 55 when he gets bigger, with the exception of dither fish. I reccomend getting a 75 and let him be with his own kind. Texas, oscars are way too aggressive for a rather shy type of cichlid.

 

[carlj007]

I have 3 that are in a comunity with red head veija; a jd a salvini, and a argentia, they all get along well; how long has it ben in the tank? Might just need a bit more time.

 

[oscaroo]

Severum would be fine in a 40, I have mine in one. Later maybe a 55 or a 75 with tankmates. Mines gonna be moved and be alone in a 55 when he gets bigger, with the exception of dither fish. I reccomend getting a 75 and let him be with his own kind. Texas, oscars are way too aggressive for a rather shy type of cichlid.

Oscars are pretty mellow. But texes cichlids are aggressive.

 

[fish042099]

Oscars are pretty mellow. But texes cichlids are aggressive.

All I know is an Oscar could kick my severums butt.

 

[ryansmith83]

More outgoing severums usually bring shy severums out of their shells. On several occasions I've had single severums in quarantine that have hidden under sponge filters or behind driftwood. As soon as I mix them into larger communities with more severums, there is an immediate change. They come out, swim around, socialize, and eat well.

Make sure he's not being picked on by more aggressive fish in the tank. As youngsters, severums are pretty docile. Hopefully he's not getting bullied when you're out of the room. He'd probably feel more comfortable with other severums, but I realize you may not have the space or the desire to do that.

 

[oscaroo]

All I know is an Oscar could kick my severums butt.

well an Oscar might kill a severum. well it really depends on tank size and the Oscars personality.

 

[C L O W N K N I F E]

I got my gold severum in with a green terror, firemouth, large upside down catfish, 4 line pimelodella catfish, pleco, and 2 parrots and hes the boss of the tank and is always out and about. tank is a 75g

I would just give him more time, he'll eventually become less shy

 

[Bderick67]

I've always had better luck with severums in groups then single or breeding pairs, as far as shyness is concerned.

 

[cideon]

Thanks for all the advice!

What kind of dithers seem to work best fish042099, in a 55?

carlj007, how big a tank for those three, do you think? Mostly curious, as I wouldn't be sure they'd all work out, and I have never seen any of those speices at the LFSs here

ryansmith83 do you know what sizes of tanks we'd be tallking about for more Sevs? I assume I'd need at least 3 of them, or would 4 be a safe number so there's not an odd one out? Are Sevs like convicts where if a pair forms, everything else nees to be taken out?

C L O W N K N I F E (and carlj007). he's been in there about a week now, do I need much more time? I was just going by how the firemouth and the two little cichlids had adjusted within 2 days.

And to all, for solo, would a 40 be OK for his forever home, or just a s a growout? How long (and how big) before Sevs hit that normal plateau of growth? I need to save room for a 60 for my oscar's 2nd growout, and after that, I'll have no room for such big tanks I think. I would try to convince my mom to let me put them around her house, but she likes communities more than solo ones, heh.