Red Spot Gold Severum

Red Spot Gold Severum (Heros efasciatus) is a selectively bred form of the South American severum cichlid, a fish associated with the Amazon Basin and related slow-moving river systems. Wild-type severums are found around calm tributaries, floodplain lakes, submerged roots, branches, leaf litter, and seasonally flooded vegetation where broad-bodied cichlids can move through sheltered, structured habitat.

The Red Spot Gold form is an ornamental aquarium strain developed from the gold severum line, with red spotting selectively emphasized across the body. Unlike wild green severums, this variety shows a bright yellow-gold base color with scattered orange-red markings that become more visible as the fish matures and settles into stable aquarium conditions.

Behaviorally, Red Spot Gold Severums are calmer than many large cichlids, but they are still full-bodied territorial fish that need room and compatible tank mates. They are best matched with medium to large peaceful or semi-assertive species that will not fit in their mouth, while very small fish, delicate fin-nippers, or cramped setups can create problems as the severum grows.