Tag Archives: Satanoperca

Satanoperca sp. aff. jurupari “Tapajos”

4. January 2021

Some of the earth-eaters of the genus Satanoperca have frightening names (Satanoperca = devil-perch, Jurupari = devil, Daemon = demon, Lilith = the bride of the devil), but there are only few cichlids that are as peaceful and harmless as they are. The most important thing they need in an aquarium is a part of the bottom with sand. Then they have fun and dig around in it all day long. Like children in a sandbox, but enough with the humanization. For an explanation of the devilish names see here: https://www.aqualog.de/blog/satanoperca-daemon-die-dreipunkt-teufelsangel/ (in German only, sorry).

Satanoperca jurupari grows up to 20 cm long. The animals are widespread in South America. They live in groups over sandy areas and are therefore territorial for a short time only during the breeding season. As ovophile, biparental mouth-breeders (i.e. both parents take the eggs into the mouth immediately after spawning) they defend the spawning place only for a few hours. Because of the wide distribution and because the animals look a little different everywhere, they are best named in the hobby with place of origin. The type locality of S. jurupari is the mouth of the Rio Negro into the Amazon (below Manaus). 

We have currently very beautiful Juruparis of the population from the Rio Tapajós as offsprings in stock.

For our customers: the animals have code 678523 on our stocklist. Please note that we only supply wholesale.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer

Satanoperca lilith

25. October 2019

This beautiful cichlid from Brazil is only very rarely imported. Currently we can offer some specimens in perfect size.

Despite the frightening name o the fish Satanoperca lilith is a very peaceful and reserved species, it can be even a bit shy. Maximum length reported for the fish is around 20-25 cm, our specimens are currently 8-10 cm  and not yet sexually differentiated.

All species of Satanoperca are closely associated to sandy bottom. The tank for these fish should contain fine sand under all circumstances. This substratum is chewed through the whole day for food particles. S. lilith lives in black water, so it prefers soft and acidic milieu, which must be poor in bacteria.

To the best of our knowledge Satanoperca has not been bred in aquaria yet. However, it is very likely the the fish are hollow breeders like their closest relative, S. daemon. The sexes look alike in respect of coloration. The best way to distinguish the sexes are the ventral fins which are in males much longer (in specimens of comparable size). Moreover, the attractive filaments of the dorsal fin are more developed in males.

For our customers: the fish have code 687564 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade. Available in very limited numbers only.

Lexicon: Satanoperca: means “Devil perch”. lilith: this is the name of a female demon, the companion of the devil. demon: means “demon”.

Text & photos: Frank Schäfer