The Demon Eartheater (scientific name: Satanoperca jurupari) is a type of cichlid fish found in the Amazon basin in South America.
Demon Eartheater prefers calm waters in estuaries and coastal swamps. It searches for food by digging into the mud, eating things like fruit seeds, small animals, and insects.
The longest Demon Eartheater ever recorded was around 10 inches long.
Demon Eartheater Interesting Facts
- The Demon Eartheater (Satanoperca jurupari) is a cichlid fish found in the Amazon basin. It prefers calm waters and tropical climates.
- Demon Eartheater feeds on fruit seeds, small animals, and insects by digging into mud.
- These fish are ovophile mouthbrooders: parents keep the eggs in their mouth until the eggs hatch, and the young ones attach themselves to the roof of their parent’s mouth for protection.
Demon Eartheater Habitat
Demon Eartheater is found in the Amazon River basin, which spans from Peru, Ecuador, and Colombia to Brazil’s Amazon River mouth. It also lives in eastern French Guiana and the Bolivian Amazon drainage, except for the Guaporé River.
The Demon Eartheater prefers freshwater environments with a water hardness range of 5-10 dH. They like a pH range of 6.3 to 7.0 pH, and water temperatures between 75°F to 79°F (24°C to 26°C).
This species thrives in tropical climates.
| Water Temperature: | 75°F to 79°F (24°C to 26°C) |
| Water pH: | 6.3 to 7.0 pH |
| Water Hardness: | 5 to 10 dH |
Demon Eartheater Physical Characteristics
Size: Males: 10.2 inches (26.0 centimeters), Females: 9.2 inches (23.3 centimeters)
Male Demon Eartheaters can grow up to 10.2 in (26 cm) in length, while females can reach 9.2 in (23.3 cm).
The maximum recorded weight for this species is around 470 grams, with some specimens weighing as much as 485 grams.
Demon Eartheater Reproduction
Demon Eartheaters are called ovophile mouthbrooders. Before laying eggs, the parent fish clean rocks to create a safe place for the eggs.
The eggs are then kept in the parent’s mouth until they hatch.
After hatching, baby fish stay in their parent’s mouth for protection and attach themselves to the roof of the parent’s mouth using a special gland.
This continues for several weeks before they venture out on their own.
Demon Eartheater Scientific Classification
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Cichliformes |
| Family: | Cichlidae |
| Genus: | Satanoperca |
| Scientific Name: | Satanoperca jurupari |
| Also Known As: | Demon Eartheater |
| Conservation Status: | Unknown |