Severum Tank Mates: My 15 Picks After Years in the Aquarium Trade

Last Updated: May 18, 2026

Severums have a well-earned reputation as gentle giants in the cichlid world. and having cared for them at local fish stores over the years, I’d say that’s accurate. They’re surprisingly peaceful for a cichlid of their size, which opens up a lot of stocking options. But you still need to choose carefully: the wrong tank mate can stress them out or end up as a meal. Here are my picks for the best severum tank mates, plus the ones I’d steer clear of.

The Top 15 Severum Tank Mates

Are you ready to meet 15 suitable tank mates for your severum cichlid? Read on to find the perfect match for your severum community! Here’s a video from our official YouTube Channel. If you like our videos, subscribe to our channel.

Expert Take

After 25+ years in the hobby and time caring for them at the stores I managed, I can tell you that severum keepers who give this fish the right setup rarely regret it. I’ve seen severum pairs hold a 75-gallon tank for years, the fish rewards the setup you give it. Severums are one of the most underrated cichlids in the hobby. They’re big, personable, and surprisingly peaceful for a cichlid their size, unless they’re breeding, at which point the entire tank becomes off-limits to other fish. The real compatibility challenge isn’t aggression, it’s size. Severums reach 8–10 inches (20–25 cm), and most ‘peaceful’ small fish simply disappear into them over time. — Mark Valderrama, AquariumStoreDepot

Quick-Reference Comparison Table

Species	Adult Size	Min Tank	Ease	Compatibility
Silver Dollars	6 inches	75 gallons	7/10	High
Oscars	10-14 inches	75+ gallons	7/10	High
Dension Barbs	4 inches	55 gallons	7/10	High
Pearl Gourami	4-5 inches	30-40 gallons	7/10	High
Medium to large plecos	4 – 12 inches	Species-dependent, medium-sized species will thrive in a 55-gallon+ aquarium	7/10	High
Angelfish	6 inches	40 gallons	7/10	High
Blue Gourami	5-6 inches	35 gallons	7/10	High
Geophagus	5-12 inches	Species dependent, 55 gallons for smaller species	7/10	High
Larger Rainbowfish	4-6 inches	55 gallons	7/10	High
Uaru Cichlid	10-12 inches	75 gallons	7/10	High
Kissing Gourami	8-10 inches	50 gallons	7/10	High
Electric Blue Acara	6-7 inches	40 gallons	7/10	High
Salvini Cichlid	Up to 6 inches	55 gallons	7/10	High
Bolivian Rams	3 inches	30 gallons	7/10	High

1. Other Severums

Before we start getting into other species, let’s discuss the option of keeping multiple severums together in the same tank. Now, these fish don’t need to be kept in schools, and you can keep just a single fish, but many aquarists have kept them together without trouble.

Of course, severums are large fish, so you’ll probably need a tank that holds a few hundred gallons to keep a group into adulthood. Housing four or more fish together may also help to limit aggression.

They can be semi-aggressive toward each other, so it’s a good idea to buy them young and add them to the tank at the same time. Choosing individuals of different breeds may also help to prevent aggression, although you’ll probably want to prevent them from hybridizing if you are considering breeding them.

2. Silver Dollars

Ease: 7/10. Good choice with a few conditions to watch.

• Scientific name: Metynnis argenteus
• Origin: South America
• Adult size: 6 inches
• Minimum tank size: 75 gallons
• pH: 6-7
• Temperature: 75-82°F
• Temperament: Peaceful

The silver dollar is a peaceful South American schooling fish with an accurate name. These rounded fish are mostly silvery in color, although they may have some orange color on their anal fins.

Silver dollars tend to hang out in the middle and upper layers of the tank where their high activity levels add a lot of movement. However, these fish do best in groups of about 5 or more, so you’ll need a large aquarium to house them with your severums.

3. Oscars

Ease: 7/10. Good choice with a few conditions to watch.

• Scientific name: Astronotus ocellatus
• Origin: South America
• Adult size: 10-14 inches
• Minimum tank size: 75+ gallons
• pH: 6-7.5
• Temperature: 68-82°F
• Temperament: Semi-aggressive

Oscars can make great severum tank mates, although a lot depends on their individual personalities. Like the severum cichlid, these large South American cichlids are available in several awesome color patterns, and they generally get along well with tank mates that are too large to fit in their mouths!

Oscars are pretty easy to care for, although they are carnivorous fish that need a balanced diet that includes some meaty foods like earthworms. These fish also grow even larger than the severum cichlid, so this pairing will not work in anything less than a 75-gallon tank.

4. Dension Barbs

Ease: 7/10. Good choice with a few conditions to watch.

• Scientific name: Sahyadria denisonii
• Origin: India
• Adult size: 4 inches
• Minimum tank size: 55 gallons
• pH: 6.8-7.8
• Temperature: 60-77°F
• Temperament: Peaceful

The denison barb (also known as the roseline shark) is a great choice for aquarists who want a colorful active tank mate for their severum cichlid.

However, these fish prefer cooler water temperatures than many other tropical species, so you’d need to maintain your water temperatures around the mid-70s Fahrenheit to keep everyone comfortable. Denison barbs do best in a large school, so buy a group of at least 6 individuals.

5. Pearl Gourami

Ease: 7/10. Good choice with a few conditions to watch.

• Scientific name: Trichpodus leerii
• Origin: Southeast Asia
• Adult size: 4-5 inches
• Minimum tank size: 30-40 gallons
• pH: 6-7
• Temperature: 75-82°F
• Temperament: Peaceful

The pearl gourami is a peaceful, docile fish that enjoys similar water conditions to the severum cichlid. These tropical fish do well in community tanks, although you should keep four or more in the same tank.

These gouramis have a reddish body covered in beautiful pearly spots and a dark horizontal line from their eye to their tail. There pelvic fins are modified into interesting feelers that they move around to explore their environment, making this a fascinating fish to watch.

Hard Rule: Never add fish under 4 inches (10 cm) to a severum tank. A 10-inch severum doesn’t need to be aggressive to eat a tetra, it’s just what happens. Keep companions at a minimum of half the severum’s body length.

6. Medium to large plecos

Ease: 7/10. Good choice with a few conditions to watch.

• Scientific name: Hypostomus spp. Parancistrus spp. Ancistrus sp. etc.
• Origin: South America
• Adult size: 4 – 12 inches
• Minimum tank size: Species-dependent, medium-sized species will thrive in a 55-gallon+ aquarium
• pH: Neutral to slightly basic conditions are suitable for many species
• Temperature: 75-80°F is suitable for many species
• Temperament: Generally peaceful but can be territorial toward their own kind

Plecostomus catfish are laid-back bottom feeders that spend most of their time hanging out on the bottom of the tank or sucking onto rocks and driftwood. These cleaner fish are not aggressive, although they can hold their own against more boisterous tank mates.

Many species will make excellent tank mates for severums, although it’s important to research their needs carefully before you buy. Some pleco species grow surprisingly large, while others require strong water flow or high temperatures

Check out my guide to 15 pleco fish species to learn about some of the best types in the hobby!

7. Angelfish

Ease: 7/10. Good choice with a few conditions to watch.

• Scientific name: Pterophyllum spp.
• Origin: South America
• Adult size: 6 inches
• Minimum tank size: 40 gallons
• pH: 6-7
• Temperature: 75-82 °F
• Temperament: Generally peaceful

Known for their distinctive body shape, freshwater angelfish are incredibly popular in the aquarium hobby. These medium-sized South American cichlids are good tank mates for severums and many other peaceful community fish.

Angelfish are available in a few different species, including the larger altum angelfish (Pterophyllum altum) and the rarer Leopold’s angelfish (P. leopoldi). The regular freshwater angelfish (P. scalare) is also available in many stunning color morphs.

8. Blue Gourami

Ease: 7/10. Good choice with a few conditions to watch.

• Scientific name: Trichopodus trichopterus
• Origin: Southeast Asia
• Adult size: 5-6 inches
• Minimum tank size: 35 gallons
• pH: 6-8
• Temperature: 75-86°F
• Temperament: Semi-aggressive

The blue gourami (also known as the three-spot gourami) is one of the most beautiful gourami species in the hobby, and it can make a good tank mate for severum cichlids.

However, blue gouramis are also one of the more aggressive gouramis, so you’ll need to consider the safety of any other tank mates you might want to keep.

9. Geophagus

Ease: 7/10. Good choice with a few conditions to watch.

• Scientific name: Geophagus spp.
• Origin: Amazon River Basin, South America
• Adult size: 5-12 inches
• Minimum tank size: Species dependent, 55 gallons for smaller species
• pH: Species dependent, slightly acidic to slightly basic
• Temperature: Species dependent, generally upper 70s and lower 80s Fahrenheit
• Temperament: Peaceful and social

Geophagus cichlids are also known as earth-eaters for their habit of searching for sucking in sand in search of food. This diverse group of South American cichlids includes many species that will work with severums, although it’s important to research the specific water parameter and tank size needs of each type before adding it to your tank.

It’s also important to house these fish in an aquarium with a sandy substrate to allow for natural foraging behaviors. The various geophagus cichlids inhabit diverse habitats, including still waters and fast-flowing rivers, so select species that will enjoy the same conditions as your severum cichlid.

10. Larger Rainbowfish

Ease: 7/10. Good choice with a few conditions to watch.

• Scientific name: Melanotaenia spp. Glossolepis etc.
• Origin: Southeast Asia and Australasia
• Adult size: 4-6 inches
• Minimum tank size: 55 gallons
• pH: 7-8
• Temperature: 74-78°F
• Temperament: Peaceful

Larger rainbowfish species, like the boesemani and red rainbowfish, can make excellent tank mates for severum cichlids, especially if you are looking for large and colorful species that swim actively in the open water.

However, it’s important to consider their water chemistry preferences when housing them with severum cichlids and South American species. These peaceful fish prefer temperatures in the mid-70s Fahrenheit and neutral to slightly basic water chemistry, so they have a fairly narrow parameter overlap with severums.

11. Uaru Cichlid

Ease: 7/10. Good choice with a few conditions to watch.

Uaru Cichlid” class=”wp-image-1077672″/>

• Scientific name: Uaru amphiacanthoides
• Origin: South America
• Adult size: 10-12 inches
• Minimum tank size: 75 gallons
• pH: 6-7
• Temperature: 82-86°F
• Temperament: Peaceful

The Uaru is a large South American cichlid with attractive but neutral body colors. They are identified by the large black blotch on either side of their body and by their bright red or yellow eyes.

Uaru cichlids are very peaceful and make excellent severum cichlid tank mates, although they require pretty warm water. A tropical aquarium with temperatures in the lower 80s Fahrenheit will be ideal for this tank mate combination.

12. Kissing Gourami

Ease: 7/10. Good choice with a few conditions to watch.

• Scientific name: Helostoma temminkii
• Origin: Southeast Asia
• Adult size: 8-10 inches
• Minimum tank size: 50 gallons
• pH: 6-8
• Temperature: 72-86°F
• Temperament: Semi-aggressive

The kissing gourami is a fascinating freshwater species known for its habit of locking lips with its own kind. These filter-feeding fish are fairly peaceful, and their specialized diet means they can be kept with much smaller tank mates.

13. Electric Blue Acara

Ease: 7/10. Good choice with a few conditions to watch.

• Scientific name: Most likely to be a hybrid
• Origin: South American ancestry
• Adult size: 6-7 inches
• Minimum tank size: 40 gallons
• pH: 6-7
• Temperature: 74-82°F
• Temperament: Semi-aggressive

The electric blue acara is a stunning South American cichlid that is most likely to be a hybrid of two or more wild species. These medium-sized freshwater fish are excellent tankmates for severums because they show little aggression and thrive in the same water conditions.

🏆 My top pick: After keeping and recommending these pairings over the years: out of all 15 options on this list, the Electric Blue Acara is the one I’d recommend first. The temperament match with severums is excellent. neither fish is looking for a fight. and their water parameter requirements line up well. A great pairing.

14. Salvini Cichlid

Ease: 7/10. Good choice with a few conditions to watch.

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• Scientific name: Cichlasoma salvini
• Origin: Central America from Mexico to Belize
• Adult size: Up to 6 inches
• Minimum tank size: 55 gallons
• pH: 6.5-8
• Temperature: 72-79°F
• Temperament: Aggressive

The Salvini cichlid is one of the most gorgeous cichlid species in the aquarium world. Unfortunately, they tend to show aggressive breeding behavior, although large severums can generally hold their own against these stunning fish if you provide a suitable environment.

You can minimize aggressive behavior by keeping a single fish (salvini cichlid pairs can be highly aggressive), providing plenty of space in a large aquarium, and by providing plenty of caves and other hiding spots. Keep an eye on their behavior and be prepared to rehome them if you notice serious aggressive behavior.

15. Bolivian Rams

Ease: 7/10. Good choice with a few conditions to watch.

• Scientific name: Mikrogeophagus altispinosus
• Origin: South America
• Adult size: 3 inches
• Minimum tank size: 30 gallons
• pH: 6-7.5
• Temperature: 75-82°F
• Temperament: Peaceful

Bolivian rams are beautiful severum cichlid companions for more experienced fishkeepers. Just keep in mind that rams are dwarf cichlids, so it may be risky to add young specimens to a tank with full-grown severums that are large enough to swallow them!

Bolivian rams are generally very peaceful and tend to hang out at the bottom of the tank. These fish can also be kept in aquariums as small as 30 gallons, so it is possible to house several individuals in a larger tank.

Fish To Avoid

While severums get along with many other freshwater fish species, there are a few species that you should definitely avoid. Here are four tank mates that are not recommended for adult severum cichlids:

⚠️ In my experience managing fish stores for years and keeping severums myself, the two mistakes I see most often: choosing fish that are too small (severums will bully or eat them once they’re fully grown) or too aggressive (severums are peaceful by cichlid standards and will get stressed by constant harassment). Size and temperament matching is everything with this species.

1. Dwarf Gourami

Dwarf Gourami in Aquarium” class=”wp-image-549383″/>

Large gouramis, like the pearl and kissing gouramis, are appropriate tank mates for severums, but smaller species, like honey and dwarf gouramis, are riskier. I would avoid keeping dwarf gouramis with larger cichlid species.

2. Smaller Tetras

Neon Tetra” class=”wp-image-547312″/>

Some fish keepers have success keeping severums with larger-bodied species like the black skirt tetra, although small schooling fish are generally not a good idea. You should definitely avoid small species like neon and ember tetras.

3. Highly aggressive fish

Despite their size, severum cichlids can be vulnerable to attacks from aggressive fish. It’s best to avoid highly aggressive species like wolf cichlids, although some fishkeepers have success with aggressive species like Jack Dempseys and the blood parrot cichlid.

Be prepared to rehome any fish that don’t get along with your severums as fights and aggressive behaviors can result in serious injuries for one or both fish.

4. African Cichlids

It’s generally a bad idea to mix African cichlids with severums. Rift Valley cichlids from East Africa require really hard, basic water to survive, while severums prefer neutral or even slightly acidic conditions.

Aggression and compatibility can also be a problem, so if you do try this pairing, stick to more peaceful species like electric yellow labs.

Care Basics

Also known as banded cichlids or ‘poor man’s discus,’ the severum cichlid (Heros sp.) is a large but peaceful South American fish from the cichlid family. There are many different varieties in the aquarium trade, including the green severum, the gold severum, and various other species in the Heros genus.

Severums can grow to about a foot long out in the wild, but they usually max out at less than ten inches in the home aquarium. They are easy to care for, although they require a large aquarium of at least 55 gallons.

Diet

Severums are omnivorous fish that require a varied diet. High-quality pellets are a good staple diet but you should include frozen foods like brine shrimp, bloodworms, and plant matter like blanched vegetables to keep your fish healthy and encourage breeding behavior.

Recommended Water Parameters

• Temperature: 75-84°F
• pH: 6-7.5
• Water hardness: 4-6dH

There’s much more to learn about severum cichlid care! Go ahead and check out my in-depth severum cichlid care guide for much more on these awesome fish.

Community Aquarium Setup Tips

Aquarium Size

A 55-gallon tank is suitable for growing out young fish or keeping a single severum cichlid. However, larger fish will do better in a 75-gallon tank, and you’ll need even more space if you’re adding a few tank mates.

A 125+ gallon setup should provide adequate space for a severum cichlid community with a few other medium/large fish, although a bigger tank is always better!

Decor and Planting

The ideal layout for the severum cichlid includes plenty of driftwood over a sandy substrate. Unfortunately, these omnivorous cichlids will eat live plants, so it’s generally not a good idea to keep these partly vegetarian fish in planted tanks. However, you could try some tough species like Java fern if you’re not too worried about them getting chewed on.

Characteristics of Suitable Companion species

This species can be housed with many other medium to large freshwater aquarium fish. However, it’s important to select tank mates that thrive in the same water conditions as the severum cichlid.

Severums are not particularly aggressive, although they can hold their own with slightly more aggressive and boisterous species. Small, slow-moving fish are a risky choice because severums are omnivorous.

Mark’s Pick: Having kept and sold these fish for years, I consistently come back to the same recommendation: large, peaceful cichlids or bottom dwellers, large plecos, geophagus, or festivum cichlids. These fish share the severum’s water preferences and can hold their own as the severum grows.

Who Is This Setup Right For?

Good Fit If:

• You have a 75+ gallon tank for a pair, 55 gallons for a solo severum
• You keep large, hardy fish that won’t be intimidated or eaten as the severum matures
• You enjoy large cichlids with real personality and aren’t put off by breeding aggression
• You keep South American biotope conditions, pH 6.0–7.5, moderate hardness

Avoid If:

• You have small fish under 4 inches (10 cm), they will be eaten as the severum grows
• You want to pair severums in anything under 75 gallons, breeding aggression requires space
• You keep delicate, nervous fish that don’t handle the presence of large cichlids well
• You want a peaceful community without any cichlid-level territorial behavior during breeding season

Final Thoughts

Careful consideration is necessary when choosing tank mates for freshwater fish – especially when cichlids are involved. Fortunately, the severum cichlid is a gentle giant of the fish keeping world, suitable for many different freshwater tank mates. I hope this guide to the 15 best severum cichlid tank mates has helped you narrow down your options and find the perfect companions for your severum!

Do you keep severums? Share your favorite tank mates in the comments below!

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📘 Want to learn more? This article is part of our complete Freshwater Fish Guide. your ultimate resource for freshwater species, care tips, tank setup, and more.