White-Spotted Eartheater (Satanoperca leucosticta) Care Guide
Satanoperca leucosticta is an eartheater cichlid from the Guiana Shield, reaching about 13-15 cm and brooding larvae in the mouth.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
Satanoperca leucosticta is an eartheater cichlid of the family Cichlidae, distinguished by white spotting on the flanks. According to Seriously Fish it reaches 130-150 mm standard length. Wikipedia notes that members of the genus feed by sifting mouthfuls of sand for invertebrates, plant material and detritus.
Taxonomy
- Family: Cichlidae
- Genus: Satanoperca
- Scientific name: Satanoperca leucosticta
Habitat
Seriously Fish records S. leucosticta from the Guiana Shield, including eastern Venezuela, Guyana, north-western Suriname and northern Brazil (Roraima). The original type locality was not given, though specimens are assumed to derive from the Rupununi River. It inhabits main river channels, tributaries and floodplain lakes over sand or mud substrates with leaf litter and submerged branches.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 350 L
- Temperature: 25-29 °C (77-84 °F)
- pH: 5.0-7.0
- GH: 2-8 °dGH
- Group size: 5 or more individuals
- Lifespan: 8-12 years
Diet
Seriously Fish describes S. leucosticta as a benthophagic substrate feeder consuming small invertebrates and plant material. In aquaria it requires fine-grade prepared foods plus small live or frozen bloodworm, Tubifex, Artemia and mosquito larvae, offered in three to four smaller portions daily.
Compatibility
Seriously Fish describes the species as surprisingly peaceful unless breeding, and gregarious; groups of five to eight individuals are recommended to spread aggression. The KB record lists severum, festivum, discus, angelfish and bristlenose pleco as compatible, while aggressive cichlids and very small tetras are best avoided.
Breeding
According to Seriously Fish, S. leucosticta is a larvophilous maternal mouthbrooder. Eggs hatch in about 36-48 hours, and larvae remain in the female's mouth for roughly seven to eight days before becoming free-swimming.
Satanoperca leucosticta Breeding Guide
Overview
Satanoperca leucosticta is a sand-sifting demon eartheater from the Guianas with prominent white spotting. According to Seriously Fish it is a larvophilous maternal mouthbrooder, with at least one conspecific form reported as an ovophilous mouthbrooder. The female broods the young in her mouth after spawning on the substrate.
Sexing
Accurate sexing is very difficult, so the recommended approach is to start with young fish and allow pairs to form naturally. Sexual maturity takes at least a year, often two or more.
Conditioning
There is no particular trigger for spawning. The main requirements are a good diet and a stringent maintenance regime involving relatively large weekly water changes.
Breeding Setup
- Soft sand with driftwood as territory markers; a tank base of at least 180 × 60 cm
- Temperature: 20-28 °C (Seriously Fish range)
- pH: 5.5-7.5 (Seriously Fish)
- Hardness: 36-215 ppm (Seriously Fish)
- Relatively large weekly water changes
Spawning Behavior & Trigger
Males initiate courtship and form territories around objects such as driftwood, and pairs defend the territory together before spawning. After spawning on the substrate the female collects the developing brood; no particular environmental trigger is required.
Egg & Fry Care
Eggs hatch in 36-48 hours. In the larvophilous form the female carries the fry in her mouth for 7 or 8 days, while in ovophilous individuals eggs are carried for approximately 9 days. Brood care continues for 3-4 weeks after release, and the fry accept powdered dry foods, Artemia nauplii and microworm.
Common Challenges
Because sexing is unreliable and maturity slow, a group is usually needed to obtain a pair. The species needs a large footprint, soft water and stable conditions; isolating the brooding female protects the young in community settings.