Rotkeil Severum - 3.5 inch

Rotkeil Severum, also called the Red Shoulder Severum, is a striking South American cichlid admired for its soft body shape, elegant swimming style, and warm red to orange coloration across the shoulder area. At around 3.5 inches, this juvenile specimen is large enough to show its developing pattern while still adapting well to a properly maintained home aquarium. It is a popular pick for aquarists who want a peaceful-to-moderate cichlid with standout color but without the extreme aggression seen in many larger cichlid species.

Compared with more territorial cichlids, Rotkeil Severums are generally calmer and can work well in spacious freshwater setups with suitable tank mates. Their intelligent behavior, graceful movement, and attractive body profile make them excellent display fish for medium-to-large aquariums.

Key Features

• Appearance: Deep-bodied severum shape with a smooth profile, later developing stronger red or orange shoulder coloration and subtle patterning across the body.
• Size: Supplied at approximately 3.5 inches, making it a juvenile fish that still has room to grow and color up further with good care.
• Colors: Known for its signature red shoulder patch, with a base tone that may include olive, gold, greenish, and orange highlights depending on mood, diet, and water quality.
• Lifespan: With stable water conditions and proper feeding, Rotkeil Severums can live for many years in a well-maintained aquarium.
• Temperament: Generally peaceful for a cichlid, though it may become territorial during feeding, breeding, or when kept in cramped conditions.
• Water Type: Freshwater cichlid suitable for tropical aquariums with clean, filtered, and stable water parameters.

Care Requirements

• Tank Size: A tank of at least 4 feet is recommended as the fish grows. Juveniles can start in smaller spacious setups, but adults need ample swimming room and stable territory.
• Water Parameters: Ideal temperature is around 24-28°C with pH roughly 6.5-7.5. Consistency is more important than chasing exact numbers.
• Diet: Omnivorous and accepts quality cichlid pellets, granules, vegetable matter, and occasional protein-rich treats. A varied diet helps support color and steady growth.
• Tank Mates: Best kept with other medium-sized peaceful to semi-aggressive fish that are not fin nippers. Avoid very small fish that may be bullied or seen as food as the severum matures.
• Care Tips: Use strong filtration, regular water changes, and décor such as driftwood, rocks, and open swimming space. Keep aggression low by avoiding overcrowding and maintaining good layout balance.
• Aquascape Suitability: Works well in larger planted or semi-planted tanks, though soft plants may be disturbed if the fish starts digging or grazing.

This 3.5 inch Rotkeil Severum is ideal for aquarists looking to grow out a premium juvenile into a colorful show fish. Stable water, quality food, and enough space are the key factors that help this cichlid develop its best shape, behavior, and shoulder coloration.