Satanoperca acuticeps Breeding Guide
Breeding Satanoperca acuticeps, a central Amazon demonfish that is a biparental substrate-spawner, not a mouthbrooder, and very rarely bred.
Overview
Satanoperca acuticeps is a demon eartheater native to the central Amazon basin in Brazil, including the main Amazon channel and tributaries between the Rio Tapajos and Tefe, plus the lower Rio Negro and Rio Branco. According to Seriously Fish it is a biparental substrate-spawner that is very rarely bred in aquaria. The species record lists it as a mouthbrooder, but the source describes substrate spawning in an excavated pit; this guide follows the source.
Sexing
Sexing is very difficult. Males tend to grow slightly larger and develop longer filamentous extensions on the posterior dorsal-fin rays, while females become noticeably deeper-bodied when gravid. Growing on a group is the practical way to obtain a pair.
Conditioning
No specific spawning trigger has been identified. The main requirements are sufficient space, a suitable diet and a stringent maintenance regime. Maturity takes at least a year.
Breeding Setup
- Soft sand allowing the pair to excavate a pit; a large aquarium for this big, blackwater species
- Temperature: 26-30 °C (KB record range)
- pH: 4.5-6.0 (KB record range, strict blackwater)
- Hardness: 1-4 °dGH (KB record range)
- Stringent maintenance with regular water changes
Spawning Behavior & Trigger
The pair selects a site and excavates a large pit, within which spawning takes place: the female deposits batches of eggs and the male follows to fertilise them. No specific environmental trigger is identified beyond space, diet and maintenance.
Egg & Fry Care
Incubation is 2-3 days. Both adults guard the brood, though the female spends most time with the eggs and the male defends the surrounding territory; in some cases the female continues alone. Fry accept Artemia nauplii and microworm as soon as the free-swimming stage is reached, and eggs or fry can alternatively be transferred for artificial rearing.
Common Challenges
This is a strict blackwater species requiring very soft, acidic and clean water, which makes conditioning demanding. It is very rarely bred, sexing is unreliable, and a large space is needed for the pit-spawning, territorial pair.