Green SeverumGreen Severum (Heros efasciatus) is the classic wild-type color form of the Severum — an olive-green to golden-green body with faint vertical barring and a mosaic of fine turquoise speckling across the face and fins that becomes more vivid as the fish matures. This is the base wild coloration from which the popular Gold, Red Shoulder, and other captive color strains were developed.Feeding & Care Tip: Hikari Cichlid Bio-Gold makes an excellent primary staple — Hikari Micro Pellets as backup. Supplement 2–3× per week with Hikari Frozen or Freeze-Dried Bloodworms or Hikari Frozen or Freeze-Dried Brine Shrimp. Feed 2–3 times daily in amounts consumed within a few minutes.Native to the Amazon basin, South America, where it inhabits slow-moving, densely vegetated river channels.Keep as a pair or in a small group with compatible tankmates. Flat or cave surface spawner with biparental care — both parents fan and guard the eggs and fry.A rewarding, relatively hardy cichlid for aquarists interested in South American species diversity, and the closest color form to the fish's wild appearance.Care & Ideal Parameters Difficulty Easy — Moderate Temperament Peaceful for its size — community with large fish Typical Adult Size 10.0 inches (25 cm) Min. Group Size Pair or small group Ideal Temp 75–82°F (24–28°C) Ideal pH 6.0–7.5 Ideal GH 3–15 dGH Ideal KH 1–8 dKH Staple Food Hikari Cichlid Bio-Gold; Hikari Micro Pellets Treat / Supplement Hikari Frozen or Freeze-Dried Bloodworms; Hikari Frozen or Freeze-Dried Brine Shrimp Origin Amazon basin, South America (wild-type color form) Notes Wild-type green/turquoise coloration — the base form other Severum color strains were bred from. Territorial as it matures; best kept as a pair or singly with larger tankmates.