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.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
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.
Satanoperca daemon Breeding Guide
Overview
Satanoperca daemon is an Amazonian eartheater associated with blackwater habitats in Colombia and adjacent drainages. Contrary to the mouthbrooding strategy used by some relatives, sources describe S. daemon as a biparental substrate-spawner. It is very rarely bred in aquaria and is regarded as a demanding species that requires soft, acidic water, mature filtration and a large tank.
Sexing
Sexing is very challenging because the species is essentially isomorphic. No reliable external differences have been observed other than gravid females appearing somewhat deeper-bodied or fuller in the belly than males, and the female's ovipositor becoming visible during spawning.
Conditioning
Adults are conditioned on a varied omnivorous diet within a biologically mature aquarium. Because the species is sensitive to deteriorating water quality, rigorous maintenance is essential before any spawning attempt. A group of young fish is typically grown out together so that pairs can form naturally.
Breeding Setup
- Soft, acidic water: aquarium spawning success has been reported around pH 4.3-4.5, with very low hardness (around 2 dH).
- Warm temperature: 29-31 °C (optimal around 30 °C) has been associated with successful spawning.
- Deep, fine sand bed, since the eggs are buried within the substrate.
- Large tank with open swimming space and stable, well-cycled filtration.
Spawning Behavior & Trigger
Courtship includes mutual lateral displays, head-trembling, mouth-pulling and lateral posturing, with the female often initiating pit-digging. The pair excavates a large pit and cleans a spawning surface, then spawn in an atypical pattern in which the female extrudes batches of eggs (roughly 15-18 per pass) before the male moves in to fertilise them. The process repeats until 150-200 or more eggs have been deposited.
Egg & Fry Care
A distinctive feature of S. daemon is that the eggs are buried under a layer of sand several centimetres deep, an underground incubation behaviour reported as unique to this species. The female positions herself above the pit and fans vigorously with her pectoral fins. Eggs hatch in roughly 70 hours at around 27 °C, and fry become free-swimming approximately 48 hours after hatching. Once free-swimming, fry accept Artemia nauplii and microworm.
Common Challenges
The species is very rarely bred in captivity. The main obstacles are achieving and maintaining the extremely soft, acidic water it requires, sexing isomorphic adults to obtain a compatible pair, and providing the space and stability the fish demands. The recorded breeding type for this species is substrate-spawner, which matches the biparental substrate-spawning behaviour described by the sources used here.