The Demon Eartheater (Satanoperca jurupari) is a peaceful, sand-sifting cichlid native to the Amazon basin. Despite its intimidating name—derived from Greek and local Tupi-Guarani words for "Satan perch" and "demon"—it is known for its serene temperament and fascinating substrate-sifting behaviour.
Key Characteristics
Appearance: Features an elongated, iridescent greenish-yellow body with silver or gold spots on each scale. Its most striking feature is the spike-shaped dorsal fin.
Size: Typically grows to around 18–25 cm (7–10 inches) in length.
Feeding Behaviour: As a "benthophagous" feeder, it takes mouthfuls of sand, sifts out organic matter using specialized gill rakers, and expels the clean substrate through its gills or mouth.
Aquarium Care Requirements
Parameter Optimal Range
Tank Size Minimum 170–210 litres (45–55 gallons); larger for groups.
Substrate Essential: Fine, soft sand. Coarse gravel can damage their gills during sifting.
Water Quality Temperature 24–28°C; pH 6.0–7.5. They are sensitive to nitrates and require efficient filtration.
Social Best kept in groups of 8 or more to establish a natural hierarchy.
Diet Omnivorous; thrives on high-quality sinking pellets, flakes, and frozen foods like bloodworms or brine shrimp.
Breeding
They are ovophile mouthbrooders. After spawning on a cleaned rock or leaf, the parents pick up the eggs to incubate them in their mouths (buccal cavity) for protection until the fry are free-swimming.
SKU: RBM
