Three-Spot Eartheater (Satanoperca daemon) Care Guide
Satanoperca daemon is a blackwater eartheater cichlid from the Rio Negro and upper Orinoco systems, reaching about 20-25 cm.
Overview
Satanoperca daemon is an eartheater cichlid and the type species of the genus Satanoperca, named by Günther in 1862. According to Seriously Fish it reaches 200-250 mm standard length and carries the prominent dark spots typical of the genus. Members of the genus are sand-sifting cichlids of the tribe Geophagini.
Taxonomy
- Family: Cichlidae
- Genus: Satanoperca
- Scientific name: Satanoperca daemon
Habitat
Seriously Fish records S. daemon from the Rio Negro watershed in the western Amazon basin and the Casiquiare and upper Orinoco systems, with a type locality at Rio Negro at Maribitanos, Brazil. It is mostly observed in acidic, mineral-poor blackwater environments with brown, tannin-stained water, over substrates of sand, leaf litter and fallen branches.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 500 L
- Temperature: 26-30 °C (79-86 °F)
- pH: 4.5-6.0
- GH: 1-3 °dGH
- Group size: 5 or more individuals
- Lifespan: 8-12 years
Diet
Seriously Fish describes S. daemon as a benthophagic species that consumes small invertebrates, insect larvae and plant material. In aquaria it requires fine-grade prepared foods plus small live or frozen items such as bloodworm, Tubifex and Artemia, offered in multiple small daily portions rather than a single meal.
Compatibility
Seriously Fish describes the species as surprisingly peaceful unless breeding, and it will not predate on larger fish. It is gregarious; a minimum group of five to eight individuals is recommended, and aggressive substrate-dwellers should be avoided. The KB record lists discus, angelfish, severum and bristlenose pleco as compatible.
Breeding
According to Seriously Fish, S. daemon is a biparental substrate-spawner and is very rarely bred in aquaria. Pairs excavate large pits and defend the spawning site; eggs hatch around three days at 27 °C, and fry are free-swimming within about 48 hours of hatching.