Green Severums

[Meld]

I know I'm probably going to get yelled at but oh well. I was at the petstore today trying to find a few fish for my 50 gallon since I want to restock it again. I asked the owner what his suggestions were for a couple of nice center piece fish for my 50 gallon and he suggested a couple of green or gold severums. Usually I will research my fish before hand but since he's been in the hobby for almost 20 years (I always buy my fish from him) I figured I would take his word for it, however now I'm getting mixed feelings about it. I've seen in person how big they can get and am not sure I did the right thing. I'm already in love with the little guys and hope that I can make it work somehow. Would they be alright in this tank at least for awhile? Or is it something I should try and rehome? I've heard that some people can keep them fine in a 50 gallon, but I want to be sure about it first. The present occupants are:

1 rainbow shark
6 cories
2 gold barbs
3 checkered barbs

I know with these fish that the tank may eventually be overstocked but I can always move the barbs to the 20 gallon if I have to later. Do you think I'll be alright for awhile or will this lead to disaster? *crossing her fingers that she didn't mess up completely*

[Lynsey]

I am guessing that you bought two of them? Is this correct. You should be ok, but only if they become a pair. If they are a pair, your probably can't have anything else in the tank. However, if they are not a pair they will probably fight too much in that sized tank. I would just have one in that sized tank as a centerpiece fish. Just my 2 cents.

I am sure people will chime in.

[dbcb314]

my brother has 2 severums in a 30 gallon, so 2 in a 50 should work. the ones in my bros tank hardly ever fight, they used too, but it has now stopped.

you should be just fine. i dont know how it wont be unless they are a breeding pair, which means everything else in your tank will die. but thats true for a lot of cichids.

[mkpeters6]

Severums are slow growing fish as well. It takes a few years for one to get full size, you should be fine with that setup for a while. As for agression, my rainbow shark is much more nippy than my severum, so I don't think you should have any problems with that.

[dbcb314]

oh yeah, my bro had his two severums with a rainbow shark