Severum Question

[JosephKern]

I recently purchased a Redspotted Severum for my 130 gal tank.  This is the first one i have ever owned and I am worried about its beahvior.  It sits at the bottom all the time inside a decoration almost on its side. It however does come out and feed with the other fish just fine.  I have recently done a water change and check all the parameters.  All of the other fish are active, and I can't see any visible signs of it being bullied. Any help would be appreciated.

 

[fluttermoth]

Could you post all the numbers from your tests, please, including pH and hardness if you know them.
 
How is your tank decorated and what other fish do you have?

 

[sawickib]

How large is the severum, and how long have you had it as well?

 

[JosephKern]

To answer both of your questions all I have are the test strips for water conditions and they all show up safe desired colors.  The tank mates are a Jack dempsey, Salvini, Green terror, red tail shark, and pleco.  The severum is about 2 inches and all other fish are smaller salvini about 1.5",, Jack 1",GT under 1".  The tank is decorated with caves made from rocks, drift wood, and a large store bought ship.  The ship is where he has been hiding.  The severum and Gt were added  a week ago.  Of course the day  after I made this post he seems to be swimming around much more and being much more active.  Thanks

 

[fluttermoth]

Please post whatever numbers your strips read; 'safe' doesn't give us the info we need.
 
You should really think about getting some proper (liquid or tablet based) tests; the strips aren't very accurate, and very often don't include a test for ammonia, which is vital
 
I think you'll find that, in the long term, the GT and the JD are going to be too aggressive for the severum; for cichlids, sevs are really quite shy and peaceful.

 

[HarpyFishLover]

You should really think about getting some proper (liquid or tablet based) tests; the strips aren't very accurate, and very often don't include a test for ammonia, which is vital

What I did was grab the test strips, shockingly notice that there is no pad for ammonia, run to the fish store, grab some liquid tests, and find out that my tank wasn't cycled yet.

 

[JosephKern]

I do have both strips for amonia and one nitrate, nitrite, ect.  They are reading 0's across the board.  I will have to go and grab some more accurate testing supplies.  I also took a water sample to the local pet store and they told me all the levels were good.  I did some pretty extensive research on compatible tank mates for JD's and GT's. I found that a lot of people have had success keeping severums with them.  I  do believe and found many others that agree when keeping large South American Cichlids you are always "rolling the dice" so to speak with compatible tank mates and aggression.  As stated before he is swimming around and is much more active now.  Might have just been stress from the move.  I will get the better water testing supplies and reconfirm the water condition.  Thanks a lot for the responses everyone.