SOUTH AMERICAN CICHLIDS.
Order Perciformes
Family Cichlidae
Subfamily Geophaginae
Genus Satanoperca.
— Satanoperca acuticeps [Heckel, 1840] — Sharphead Eartheater. Synonym: Geophagus acuticeps. (Eng.: Sharphead Eartheater, Sparkling Earth Eater). Brazil, Guyana, Amazon basin, Rio Negro, Rio Branco. 20 cm. A distinctive feature is a sharper head than in other species. Olive-gray with 8-9 longitudinal rows of golden dots and 4 dark spots on the body. Eyes and fins reddish. The last 5-6 rays of the soft dorsal fin are shaped like long black threads. This species is very close to S. jurupari, from which it differs by its long, thread-like elongated pelvic fins.
The aquarium should have plenty of hiding places made of driftwood and stones, then they will feel more confident and there is a higher probability of them coming out of hiding into the open space. Peaceful cichlids, but small fish will be eaten. In nature, fish keep in schools and constantly dig in the detritus accumulating at the bottom of rivers. They move the substrate, so it should be fine in aquariums. Despite the external hostility, this is generally a peaceful species.
A heat-loving species that tolerates temperature drops poorly. Water should be soft, slightly acidic; they react sharply to water pollution. Regular water changes are mandatory, otherwise they get sick and die. During spawning, they dig pits in the substrate. Parents guard the offspring, while the male occupies a large territory. pH 6.5-7.5; dH up to 5°; T 24-30°C.
— Satanoperca daemon [Heckel, 1840] — Spotted Demonfish. Synonym: Geophagus daemon. (Eng.: Spotted Demonfish, Three Spot Eartheater, Threespot Demonfish, Eartheater). Upper Rio Negro, tributaries of the Orinoco River, Brazil, Venezuela, Colombia. 28 cm. The main coloration is gray with small silvery flecks. Two silvery stripes run from the eye to the mouth. There are one or two large black spots on the flanks, and another “eyespot” black spot with a light border on the upper margin of the caudal peduncle and fin. These three spots are a distinctive feature of S. daemon from other similarly colored species.
When excited, dark vertical stripes appear on the fish’s body. The gill covers and the area around the mouth are light blue with shimmering specks. The dorsal fin is elongated and high. The lower part of the caudal fin is reddish. The pelvic and lower part of the anal fins are yellow-red with a shiny blue border. In mature males, the fourth and fifth rays of the dorsal fin are black and elongated. Juveniles are gray with two dark spots on the body.
A relatively peaceful species, but can show aggression during the spawning period. Keeping them with other appropriately sized and not very aggressive cichlids is possible; it is better to keep them in a group in a spacious aquarium to disperse aggression. It is necessary to create a sufficient number of shelters for females and subdominant individuals. Substrate — coarse sand or fine gravel, mangrove driftwood.
Most of their time, fish spend in the bottom layers, digging in the sand and sifting it through their gills, so plants must have a well-developed root system or be planted in pots. Sensitive to the quality and chemical composition of water, they cannot tolerate an excess of nitrogen compounds. Regular water changes are mandatory, otherwise they get sick and die. They suffer from a lack of oxygen, so good aeration and water filtration are required.
A varied diet is a necessity for this fish. To enhance coloration and the orange-red color, it is necessary to provide foods with carotene and spirulina. If fed in one place, the dominant male may prevent others from reaching the food. They reach sexual maturity at the age of 1.5 years at a length of 20 cm. For spawning, it is better to allocate a separate aquarium. Spawning is paired, on a substrate: on a cleared area of the bottom or mangrove driftwood. T 25-28°C; pH 6.5-7.5; dH 10-20°.
Satanoperca jurupari, Satanoperca leucosticta.
Microgeophagus ramirezi, Bolivian ram, Ram cichlid. 
