Remarks: The Colombian green severums (Heros efasciatus) we currently offer are captive-bred offspring of wild-caught parents collected from the upper Rio Negro near San Felipe, along the Colombia–Venezuela border. While they are more adaptable and forgiving than wild-caught specimens, they retain the genetics, coloration, and natural characteristics of their wild lineage. Because they have not been subjected to generations of selective breeding or hybridization, these fish represent a pure bloodline with excellent genetic diversity compared to many severums commonly found in the aquarium hobby.
Severums have been a staple of the aquarium hobby thanks to their impressive size, attractive coloration, and generally peaceful temperament. They are large enough to serve as a stunning centerpiece fish without requiring the enormous aquariums that many larger cichlids demand. While typically peaceful, they can become territorial when spawning. Very small tank mates may be viewed as food, and most aquatic plants are unlikely to survive long, as severums are known to nibble on or uproot them.
The Colombian green severum is especially striking, displaying an ever-changing blend of emerald green, turquoise blue, and reddish hues that shift depending on lighting, mood, and breeding condition. Healthy specimens may also display a series of dark vertical bars along the body, with the bar at the base of the tail extending all the way to the dorsal fin. Their vibrant reddish-orange ventral and anal fins provide a beautiful contrast, making this one of the most attractive naturally occurring severum varieties available. Originating from the blackwater habitats of the upper Rio Negro, these F1 fish are particularly desirable for aquarists seeking a geographically authentic bloodline with the beauty, coloration, and adaptability of captive-bred fish.
