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Pantanal eartheater (Satanoperca pappaterra) — Cichlidae

Pantanal eartheater

Satanoperca pappaterra
Family: Cichlidae

The Pantanal eartheater (Satanoperca pappaterra) is a freshwater fish of the family Cichlidae that grows up to 27 cm.

Length
27 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Carnivore
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless

Description

The Pantanal eartheater is a cichlid (Cichlidae) from slow-flowing rivers, pools and floodplains of the Paraguay and Pantanal region in South America. The species grows to about 15 cm and has a deep, grey-brown body with a dark spot on the flank and glittering dots on the head and gill cover. As a bottom-dweller it takes mouthfuls of sand and sifts out small invertebrates, worms and organic matter. It is a mouthbrooder that protects the young in its mouth. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Pantanal eartheater?

The Pantanal eartheater has a flattened, disc-shaped body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Pantanal eartheater live?

The Pantanal eartheater lives in fresh water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Pantanal eartheater get?

The Pantanal eartheater grows to a maximum of about 27 cm.

Is the Pantanal eartheater dangerous to humans?

No, the Pantanal eartheater is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Pantanal-aardeter sourced
English name
Pantanal eartheater sourced
Scientific name
Satanoperca pappaterra
Family
Cichlidae
Other names
Paraguay River eartheater verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
27.0 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Spots sourced
Tail shape
Straight inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore inferred
Territorial
Yes inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
Yes inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Bodemvissen met natuurlijk aas (worm, garnaal of vis) op of vlak boven de bodem. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

Status & sources

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

Same genus Satanoperca

More from the family Cichlidae

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