Can Pacific Sturgeon and Severum Live Together?

Reviewed by Guidarium Editorial DeskUpdated May 7, 2026
Not Recommended

Pacific Sturgeon and Severum are not recommended as tank mates due to no temperature overlap. Housing these species together is likely to result in stress, health problems, or direct harm to one or both fish.


At a Glance

Pacific Sturgeon

Acipenser transmontanus

Severum

Heros severus

🐠Family Group
Pacific Sturgeon
Oddballs
Severum
Cichlids - South American
Temperament
Pacific Sturgeon
Mostly Peaceful (3/10)
Severum
Semi-Aggressive (5/10)
Temperature
✗ No overlap
Pacific Sturgeon
10–22°C
Severum
24–29°C
pH Range
✓ Compatible
Pacific Sturgeon
6.5–8
Severum
6–7.5
Hardness (dGH)
✓ Compatible
Pacific Sturgeon
4–20
Severum
4–15
Water Type
✓ Compatible
Pacific Sturgeon
Brackish Tolerant
Severum
Freshwater Only
Flow Preference
✓ Compatible
Pacific Sturgeon
High
Severum
Moderate
Min Tank Volume
Combined: 20000 L
Pacific Sturgeon
20000 L
Severum
280 L
Swimming Level
Shared: 1 zone
Pacific Sturgeon
Bottom
Severum
MiddleBottom
🏷️Behavior Tags
Pacific Sturgeon
Piscivore (Eats small/nano fish)Digger (Disturbs Substrate)Hyperactive / Fast SwimmerShrimp EaterSnail EaterAggressive Eater (Starves shy fish)
Severum
Plant DestroyerTerritorial (Defends specific area)Digger (Disturbs Substrate)
Stocking calculator

Can your tank handle Pacific Sturgeon and Severum?

Compatibility is only part of the answer. Test both fish with your real tank size, current stock, and maintenance needs to see if you have enough space and a safe stocking level before you add them.

Pacific Sturgeon
Severum
Test both in my tank

Behaviour & Temperament

Pacific Sturgeon is a generally mild-mannered species (3/10), while Severum is moderately assertive (5/10). This modest difference means Severum may occasionally assert dominance over Pacific Sturgeon.

Pacific Sturgeon and Severum both frequent the Bottom (Substrate) region of the setup. This overlap can increase competition for space, so providing ample room and cover is important to keep both species comfortable.

Water Parameters

There is no temperature overlap between Pacific Sturgeon (10–22°C) and Severum (24–29°C). This fundamental mismatch makes long-term cohabitation impractical.

Both fish can tolerate a pH between 6.5 and 7.5. Maintaining a stable value within this band is more important than hitting an exact number.

For general hardness, the shared comfort zone is 4–15 dGH. Regular testing will ensure conditions stay within this range.

Tank Setup

To house Pacific Sturgeon and Severum together, plan for an aquarium of at least 20000 litres with a minimum length of 600 cm. This recommendation combines the stricter species minimums with a community-load allowance so the pairing has realistic long-term space and filtration headroom.

Providing a mix of open swimming space and sheltered areas with rocks, driftwood, or plants will keep both species comfortable and allow natural behaviour.

Specific environmental needs for this combination include: Sand (Sifters), Smooth Gravel (Sensitive Barbels), Driftwood (Digestion/Hiding). Meeting these requirements will help both species thrive.

Both species do well with high (river/stream) water movement, so a standard filtration setup rated for the tank volume should suffice.

Why This Pairing Usually Fails in Practice

Pacific Sturgeon and Severum are the kind of pair that can look acceptable in a shop but become a maintenance problem at home. The main risk is not a single number in the chart; it is the way incompatible behavior, water needs, or pressure on space compounds over time once both fish are established in the same tank.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Pacific Sturgeon and Severum live together?

No. This combination is not recommended. Key incompatibilities — such as non-overlapping temperature ranges — make cohabitation unsafe.

What size tank do Pacific Sturgeon and Severum need?

A minimum of 20000 litres (tank length at least 600 cm) is recommended. This provides enough space for both species to establish their own areas and reduces the likelihood of territorial disputes.

What water temperature is best for Pacific Sturgeon and Severum together?

Unfortunately, there is no temperature range that satisfies both species. Pacific Sturgeon requires 10–22°C, while Severum needs 24–29°C.

Are Pacific Sturgeon or Severum aggressive?

Pacific Sturgeon is generally mild-mannered (3/10) and Severum is moderately assertive (5/10). Their similar temperaments generally lead to a peaceful coexistence.

What pH do Pacific Sturgeon and Severum need?

Both species overlap in the 6.5–7.5 pH range. Consistency is key — avoid sudden swings, and test regularly to stay within this window.

How do I manage Severum's territorial behaviour?

Provide line-of-sight breaks using rocks, driftwood, and dense planting. A larger tank gives Severum space to claim a territory without encroaching on the other fish's area. Adding décor that divides the tank into distinct zones works especially well.

Editorial Review

Guidarium Editorial Desk

Reviewed against Guidarium care, stocking, and compatibility standards. Read the editorial policy.

Last reviewed
May 7, 2026
Last updated
May 7, 2026
Issues or corrections?
Contact the editorial team

Related Comparisons