Severum questions

[fishybidnes]

Hello,
This is my first post here as I have been lurking around here for months. I have a few questions, not really sure where to put them so I will bunch them here. First off I have a 75 gallon tank. It is running a Penguin 350 biowheel, a 250 stealth visitherm heater. I have 5 Silver Dollars, 1 turquoise severum, and a common pleco. At this time I have no overhead lighting. My questions concern the severum. I got it at Petsmart about a week ago. It has done nothing except hide since it has been in the tank. I have some slate rock stacked in various formations on the bottom. It will lay down sideways between the rocks to hide. Is this normal? I have been feeding the dollars flake with no problems they eat like little pigs. I have yet to see the severum eat anything. I am worried he is not getting any of the food. What can I do to get him some food. I have been thinking about taking some of the rocks out, so he can't hide, but I don't want him to be scared to death either. Also, I have read that they are a timid fish. When I first walk into the room he will be out, but as soon as he sees me, whoosh he is gone. Am I doing something wrong or is this their nature to be skiddish? Thanks for any help.

One more thing. I want to put some sort of light above the tank, but have read the dollars and the severum are light sensitive so any one have an idea of what to do. Right now I keep a small lamp on a table beside the tank. Not too much light goes into the tank but it creates some cool light rays and shadows in the tank. The dolars dont seem to mind it at all. Thanks again for any help.
Scott

 

[jm1212]

some fish just take longer to adjust to a new environment, especially cichlids such as severum.

the fish should be fine with a light.

 

[Rbishop]

I would also try to adjust some decor so there is a more vertical place for him to get hes "safe' secure hiding spot.

Some sinking pellets might help him to get his share.

All of them should be able to handle low overhead lighting.

 

[fishybidnes]

Thanks for the replies. That is exactly what I did, move some stuff around so he can hide vertically, he went right in, thanks. What kind of sinking pellets would you suggest?
Also, what would be considered as a low light fixture for my tank? The tank is four foot long, any help thanks.

 

[tankboy_taylor]

Severums are definatly a shy fish mine will sometimes go lateral but thats usually to steal algae wafers from my loaches or cories so wouldnt worry too much about that they definatly like having hiding spots.

Not eating would worry me though.My sev is top of the food chain in my tank and never passes up a chance to eat. Literally my sev can guilt me into feeding just him extra lol. so id try and make sure its eating.

For moonlights if your a little bit handy and dont wanna spend alot of cash this is a great how to. http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=103075 I did this mod to my light fixture for under 20 bucks and it works awesome the fish dont seem to mind it either great way to watch em