Mapirito Eartheater (Satanoperca mapiritensis) Care Guide
Satanoperca mapiritensis is an eartheater cichlid from the lower Orinoco basin in Venezuela, reaching about 12-15 cm.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
Satanoperca mapiritensis is an eartheater cichlid of the family Cichlidae. According to Seriously Fish it reaches 120-150 mm standard length and belongs to the S. jurupari species group. Wikipedia notes that the genus feeds by sifting mouthfuls of sand for invertebrates, plant material and detritus.
Taxonomy
- Family: Cichlidae
- Genus: Satanoperca
- Scientific name: Satanoperca mapiritensis
Habitat
Seriously Fish records S. mapiritensis from the lower Río Orinoco basin in Venezuela (Anzoátegui, Monagas and Bolívar states), with a type locality at Río Mapirito south of Maturín, Monagas. It inhabits main river channels, smaller 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: 5.0-6.8
- GH: 1-6 °dGH
- Group size: 5 or more individuals
- Lifespan: 8-12 years
Diet
Seriously Fish describes S. mapiritensis as a benthophagic eartheater that sifts substrate for small invertebrates. The diet should include fine-grade prepared foods plus small live or frozen bloodworm, Tubifex, Artemia and mosquito larvae, alongside vegetable matter, offered in three to four smaller daily portions.
Compatibility
Seriously Fish describes the species as surprisingly peaceful unless breeding and gregarious, forming loose aggregations; groups of five to eight individuals are recommended. The KB record lists severum, festivum, discus and bristlenose pleco as compatible, while aggressive cichlids and very small tetras are best avoided.
Breeding
According to Seriously Fish, reproduction is unconfirmed for this species, although members of the S. jurupari group are mouthbrooders.
Satanoperca mapiritensis Breeding Guide
Overview
Satanoperca mapiritensis is an eartheater from the lower Río Orinoco basin in Venezuela, including the ríos Caura and Caroní. Its aquarium reproduction is unconfirmed: reports attributed to the species appear to refer to upper-Orinoco populations that do not correspond to S. mapiritensis, and genetic research suggests it may be closely allied with S. jurupari and S. rhynchitis. Because of this, species-specific breeding information is limited.
Conditioning
As with other Satanoperca, a varied omnivorous diet and a clean, mature aquarium are the basis for conditioning. Stable water chemistry and good filtration should be established before any spawning attempt.
Breeding Setup
- Maintenance water of 22-28 °C, pH 5.5-7.5 and hardness around 36-215 ppm, biased to the softer end for spawning.
- A large footprint; a tank base of at least 180 x 60 cm is recommended for adults.
- A fine sand bed suited to a sand-sifting eartheater.
- A grow-out group so that pairs may form naturally, given the difficulty of sexing.
Spawning Behavior & Trigger
Within the genus Satanoperca, members of the S. jurupari group are mouthbrooders, while other groups are substrate-spawners; the source does not assign a confirmed mode to S. mapiritensis. The record lists this species as a mouthbrooder, which is plausible given its likely placement near the mouthbrooding S. jurupari group, but no documented aquarium spawning confirms this for S. mapiritensis specifically.
Common Challenges
The principal challenges are taxonomic confusion around the species' identity, the absence of confirmed aquarium breeding reports, and difficult sexing, on which the source states information is unreported. Maintaining stable soft water in a large tank is a prerequisite for any attempt.