Edit Satanoperca daemon
You can suggest changes to this profile. A moderator will review each change.
Name
Scientific name
Satanoperca daemon
Described by
Authority Heckel, Year 1840
Family
Cichlidae
Summary
The threespot eartheater, Satanoperca daemon, is a cichlid from the rio Negro, Casiquiare and upper Orinoco systems in Brazil, Venezuela an…
Size and aquarium
Maximum size
250mm, standard length
Tank size
Minimum length 210 cm, Minimum depth 60 cm
Water
Temperature and pH
Temperature 24–28°C, pH 3.5–6
Hardness
1–5dGH
Conductivity
Not recorded
Behaviour
Temperament
Peaceful
Social needs
A shoal or group
Community suitability
Not for a community
Where it lives
Countries
Brazil, Colombia, Venezuela
Supporting text
Etymology
Satanoperca: from the Ancient Greek Σατάν (Satán), meaning 'Satan' (the devil), and πέρκη (pérkē), meaning 'perch'. daemon: from the Ancient Greek δαίμων (daím…
Distribution
Native to the rio Negro watershed in the western Amazon basin of Amazonas state, Brazil, plus the Casiquiare and upper Orinoco systems in Venezuela and Colombi…
Habitat
Mostly observed in acidic, mineral-poor blackwater environments with brownish, tannin-stained water. A typical example is the Río Cinaruco, a low nutrient trib…
Aquarium size
An aquarium with a base measuring at least 210 ∗ 60 cm84 ∗ 24 in or equivalent is required.
Maintenance
The most essential item of décor is a soft, sandy substrate so that the fish can browse naturally (see 'Diet'). Coarser materials such as gravel or small pebbl…
Water conditions
Not written yet
Diet
Satanoperca spp. are benthophagous by nature, employing a method of feeding whereby mouthfuls of substrate are taken and sifted for edible items with the remai…
Behaviour and compatibility
Unless breeding this species is surprisingly peaceful and will not predate on fishes larger than a few millimetres in length. Suitable tankmates are numerous a…
Sexual dimorphism
No external differences have been observed other than gravid adult females appearing somewhat deeper-bodied than males, and during spawning when the ovipositor…
Reproduction
This species is a biparental substrate-spawner, but is very rarely-bred in aquaria. There does not appear to be any particular trigger for the spawning process…
Notes
S. daemon is relatively common in the aquarium trade but is by no means easy to maintain, with particular attention to space, diet, water quality, and chemistr…
References
References
12 on this profile