Satanoperca

The sharphead eartheater, Satanoperca acuticeps, is a cichlid from the central Amazon basin in Brazil, including the lower rio Negro and rio Branco. Relatively rare in the trade, it is sometimes confused with S. daemon and S. lilith but has three dark flank blotches (vs. two in S. daemon, one in S. lilith). Unless breeding it is surprisingly peaceful, and it is very rarely bred in aquaria.

The threespot eartheater, Satanoperca daemon, is a cichlid from the rio Negro, Casiquiare and upper Orinoco systems in Brazil, Venezuela and Colombia. It is mostly observed in acidic, mineral-poor blackwater. Relatively common in the aquarium trade, it is by no means easy to maintain, needing particular attention to space, diet, water quality and chemistry. Two dark blotches on the flank separate it from the similar S. lilith, which has only one.

The demon eartheater, Satanoperca jurupari, is a cichlid recorded throughout much of the Amazon basin in Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador and Colombia. In aquarium literature it is frequently confused with S. leucosticta, which has prominent white spots or vermiform markings on the sides of the head. Its precise identity is a confusing issue, and populations from the Tapajós, Xingu, Araguaia and Paraná are genetically distinct and may represent separate species.

The whitespot eartheater, Satanoperca leucosticta, is a cichlid from the Guiana Shield in Guyana, Suriname, eastern Venezuela and northern Brazil. Farmed in several countries, it is frequently available in the ornamental trade. It is often confused with S. jurupari but is easily recognised by the prominent white spots or vermiform markings on the sides of the head. A larvophilous maternal mouthbrooder, it has been bred in aquaria.

Satanoperca lilith is an eartheater cichlid known only from Brazil, where it is widely distributed along the Solimões/Amazon main channel. Despite that extensive range it is uncommon in the ornamental trade, where it is sometimes called 'one-spotted demon fish' or 'one spot eartheater'. A single dark blotch on the flank separates it from the closely similar S. daemon, which has two.

Satanoperca mapiritensis is an eartheater cichlid native to the lower Río Orinoco basin in northern Venezuela, including the ríos Caura and Caroní. Uncommon in the aquarium trade, its name is frequently misapplied to S. leucosticta and similar, unidentified forms. Adults have white spots and vermiculations on the head, most intense on the operculum, and pale orange lips. Genetic research suggests it may turn out to be conspecific with S. jurupari and S. rhynchitis.

The Pantanal eartheater, Satanoperca pappaterra, is a cichlid from the rio Guaporé and upper rio Paraguai basins in Brazil, Bolivia and Paraguay. Relatively rare in the ornamental trade and much sought after, it is easily told from all known congeners by a series of prominent black blotches beneath the dorsal-fin and a well-defined dark band along the side of the body. It has been introduced to the upper rio Paraná in southeastern Brazil.

Satanoperca rhynchitis is an eartheater cichlid known only from the Oyapock, Approuague and other river systems of French Guiana. Previously referred to S. jurupari, it was known in the trade as S. sp. 'red lips', and live adults have red lips. Red-lipped fish from Amapá in Brazil appear intermediate between the two, and whether they are hybrids, a distinct species or part of a cline is still unclear.