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Demon eartheater (Satanoperca jurupari) — Cichlidae

Demon eartheater

Satanoperca jurupari
Family: Cichlidae
LC · Least Concern
NativeIntroduced

The Demon eartheater (Satanoperca jurupari) is a freshwater fish of the family Cichlidae that grows up to 26 cm.

Length
26 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
South America; calm fresh water of estuaries and rivers with soft bottoms of the Amazon basin.
Edibility
Rarely eaten

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Description

The demon eartheater is a South American cichlid from the Amazon and surrounding drainages. The species grows to about 26 cm and has a streamlined, grey-brown body with pearly shining spots and a steep head. It is typical of quiet water and occurs in fresh waters of estuaries and rivers with soft bottoms. As an 'eartheater' it takes mouthfuls of sand that it sifts through the gills to extract small invertebrates, worms and organic matter. Notably it is a larvophile mouthbrooder: the parents take the hatched larvae into the mouth for protection. The species is popular in the aquarium and is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Demon eartheater?

The Demon eartheater has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern. Sifts mouthfuls of sand through the gills to harvest prey; larvophilous mouthbrooder that takes the larvae into its mouth.

Where does the Demon eartheater live?

The Demon eartheater lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom. South America; calm fresh water of estuaries and rivers with soft bottoms of the Amazon basin.

How big does the Demon eartheater get?

The Demon eartheater grows to a maximum of about 26 cm.

Is the Demon eartheater dangerous to humans?

No, the Demon eartheater is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Demon eartheater edible?

The Demon eartheater is rarely eaten.

More photos

Demon eartheater (Satanoperca jurupari) — Cichlidae — 2
Wikimedia Commons — Clinton & Charles Robertson (CC BY 2.0)
Demon eartheater (Satanoperca jurupari) — Cichlidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Oskar King, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Demon eartheater (Satanoperca jurupari) — Cichlidae — 4
Wikimedia Commons — Internet Archive Book Images (No restrictions) [illustratie]
Demon eartheater (Satanoperca jurupari) — Cichlidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Daniel, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Demon eartheater verified
Scientific name
Satanoperca jurupari
Family
Cichlidae
Other names
Earth-eater; Earth-eating cichlid; Eartheating devilfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
26.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Spots inferred
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Natural range
South America; calm fresh water of estuaries and rivers with soft bottoms of the Amazon basin. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small invertebrates, worms and organic material from the sand sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups inferred
Territorial
Yes inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
Yes inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
Sifts mouthfuls of sand through the gills to harvest prey; larvophilous mouthbrooder that takes the larvae into its mouth. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely eaten sourced
Fishing method
Bottom fishing with natural bait (worm, shrimp or fish) on or just above the seabed. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
First aid
None required: this species is harmless to humans. sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Satanoperca

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