Cichlasoma severum (Heckel, 1840) Heros severus (previously known as Cichlasoma severum), is a species of tropical freshwater cichlid native to the upper Orinoco and upper Rio Negro basins in South America.

The species in the aquarium trade that is rather the more common Heros efasciatus.

Until 2015 Heros severus was thought to be the mouth brooder that was in the aquarium trade.

Originally in 1840 the H. severus was characterised as having a partially formed 7th band, but the identification was dismissed as an anomaly in the collected fish.

Curare' or Tiger severum until officially named as the true severus.