Red-Headed Severum: Care Guide for This Color Morph

Hektor Jorgo By Hektor Jorgo Published Updated 3 min read
A gold-bodied cichlid with a distinct red-orange patch on its head and forehead swimming in a planted aquarium

Quick Facts

Common Name
Red-Headed Severum (sometimes sold as 'Rotkeil' Severum)
Scientific Classification
A color morph of Heros severus — same species as the white severum, different selected trait
Native Range (of the species)
South America — Amazon and Orinoco basins
Adult Size
Around 8 inches
Coloration
Gold or green body with a distinct red-orange patch concentrated on the head and forehead
Temperament
Peaceful for a large cichlid — same general temperament as other severum morphs
Minimum Tank Size
55+ gallons
Diet
Omnivore with a notable plant-matter component

After covering the white severum, it's worth looking at another popular severum color morph that takes the opposite approach — instead of removing color, the red-headed severum concentrates a bold red-orange patch right where it's most visible.

Direct Answer: Same Species, Different Color Trait

The red-headed severum is a color morph of Heros severus — the same species as the white severum, just selectively bred for a different trait. Instead of an overall pale body, the red-headed morph keeps a gold or green base color and develops a concentrated red-orange patch on the head and forehead. Size (~8 inches), tank requirements (55+ gallons), temperament (peaceful for a large cichlid), and diet (omnivore with plant matter) are all the same as other severum morphs.

Two Severum Morphs, Two Different Looks

Both color morphs covered on this site start from the same wild-type fish:

  • White severum — overall pale white-to-gold body, minimal patterning
  • Red-headed severum — gold or green body retained, with a bold red-orange patch concentrated on the head

Neither is a hybrid or a different species — both are selectively bred color variants of Heros severus, the same kind of relationship that exists between "normal" and selectively-bred color forms in many other aquarium fish. Which one looks better is purely a matter of preference; the care sheet is identical either way.

Tank Requirements

A 55+ gallon tank is the standard recommendation for an adult red-headed severum (~8 inches), the same size class as Astatheros robertsoni. Setup essentials:

  • Driftwood and rockwork for cover and territory — see our driftwood cichlid tank guide
  • Stable water parameters with consistent maintenance
  • Strong filtration sized for a large cichlid's bioload

Diet and Coloration

Red-headed severums share the same plant-inclusive omnivore diet as other severums and as Astatheros robertsoni — a quality omnivore cichlid pellet as a staple, supplemented with blanched vegetables and occasional protein. General diet quality also plays a role in how vibrant the signature red head patch looks over time, though this is a broad principle that applies to colorful cichlids generally rather than something unique to this morph.

Temperament and Tank Mates

Red-headed severums are peaceful for a large cichlid — the same temperament profile as the white severum and other severum morphs. This makes them a recommended tankmate for discus, for the same reasons covered for the white severum: comparable size, comparable water-parameter tolerances, and a temperament that doesn't clash with discus's more reserved nature.

Quick Reference

  • Red-headed severum is a color morph of Heros severus — same species as the white severum
  • Gold/green body with a concentrated red-orange patch on the head and forehead
  • Around 8 inches as an adult — 55+ gallon tank minimum
  • Same temperament, tank setup, and diet as other severum morphs
  • Diet quality influences how vibrant the red head coloring appears over time
  • A good discus tankmate, for the same reasons as the white severum
  • Both severum color morphs are selectively bred variants, not hybrids or separate species

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a red-headed severum, and how is it different from a white severum?

Both are captive-bred color morphs of the same species, Heros severus — the difference is which trait breeders have selected for. The white severum has lost most pigment toward an overall pale white-to-gold body. The red-headed severum keeps a gold or green body but develops a concentrated red-orange patch on the head and forehead, creating a striking two-tone look. Neither is 'more authentic' than the other — both are selectively bred variants of the same wild-type fish, the same relationship discussed for the white severum relative to wild-type coloration.

What tank size and setup does a red-headed severum need?

The same as other severum morphs — a 55+ gallon tank for an adult reaching around 8 inches, which puts it in a similar size class to Astatheros robertsoni. Driftwood and rockwork for cover and territory, stable water parameters, and strong filtration for the bioload of a large cichlid are all standard requirements, identical to what's covered for the white severum.

Does diet affect the red head coloring?

Diet quality plays a role in how vibrant any cichlid's coloration looks, including the red-headed severum's signature head patch — a varied diet with appropriate nutrients tends to support more vivid coloration than a poor or monotonous one, a general principle that applies across colorful cichlids rather than being specific to this morph. Beyond general diet quality, red-headed severums share the same plant-inclusive omnivore diet as other severums and as Astatheros robertsoni — a quality omnivore cichlid pellet as a staple, with blanched vegetables and occasional protein for variety.

Are red-headed severums good tankmates for discus, like white severums?

Yes — the same reasoning that makes white severums good discus tankmates applies to the red-headed morph, since it's the same species with the same temperament and water-parameter tolerances. Severums generally are considered one of the more peaceful larger cichlids and tolerate the soft, stable water discus prefer, which is why they come up repeatedly as a recommended discus tankmate regardless of which color morph is involved. If you're considering either severum morph for a 55-gallon discus setup, the size and water-quality considerations are the same either way.

Sources & Further Reading

  1. Heros severus Color Morphs — Practical Fishkeeping
  2. Heros severus — FishBase
Hektor Jorgo

About the Author: Hektor Jorgo

Co-Founder & Marine Biologist

Hektor is a co-founder of Sea Life Planet and has kept reef and freshwater aquariums for over 15 years. He holds a background in marine biology and focuses on species care accuracy, water chemistry, and tank husbandry.

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