Demon Eartheater

Geographical Origin and Habitat: Resident species of the very hot dark and sandy waters of the upper Rio Negro and Orinoco basins between Brazil and Colombia. Aggregates in large schools on the bare sandy shallows at the edges of flooded forests, away from turbulent currents.

Taxonomy and Morphology: Icon of the Satanoperca genus (frightening compound name for a placid species). Large geophagine cichlid: males over 25 cm (10 inches). It features an unusually long and drooping snout, 'horse-like', imposing lips modified for suction, an eye placed very high and a slender but very high torpedo body. The pectoral fins brush the sandy bottom acting as scanning poles.

Social Behavior: False name, opposite nature. It is a highly gregarious eartheater, extremely peaceful, fearful and docile. It must strictly be kept in tight schools of at least 6 individuals; they isolate or stress mortally if kept single or in pairs. They spend their lives raising clouds of sand from the ground spitting it from the gills like industrial sieves.

Coloration and Sexual Dimorphism: Stunning alien beauty. The base silvery body takes on bright iridescent emerald-blue flashes if hygienic conditions are supreme. Takes its name (Daemon/Demon) from the unmistakable pattern of two neat and round black spots on the sides of the body (like two bullet holes) and a majestic and infernal third blackest spot ('ocellus') with a vibrant ring of fiery red fire located at the root of the powerful caudal fin. Immense dorsal fins falling into red ribbons. No obvious dimorphism between the sexes.

Aquarium Setup: Demands respect, for its enormous sensitivity: the tank (minimum two meters / 80 inches or 600-800 liters / 150-200 Gal) MUST have the ground composed only and exclusively of a THICK LAYER OF VERY SOFT IMMACULATE SAND in which the beast must engulf almost the entire head. No sharp rocks or gravel: mouth abrasions are fatal in 100% of cases. Dark shade from huge woody stumps lowered from the surface. Discarded plants (they will be uprooted by sand sifting).

Diet and Feeding: They eat tiny and frequent doses. Discard floating food and thick dry flakes. They impose sinking tablets, soft granules, huge bloodworms that must be defrosted and flooded on the bottom, in addition to tons of frozen live Brine Shrimp to the sieve. They are slow: a greedy roommate will not let them feed.

Water Quality: INFURIATING ACHILLES HEEL. Not for beginners. Ultra-sensitive species. Hates nitrates and bacteria. Filtration must be titanic without hesitating absurd currents. Requires true 'Blackwaters': pH between lethal acid (4.5) and 6.5 maximum and demineralized hardnesses (GH 0-5). Temperatures trigger digestive heart attacks if cold (Mandatory stationary 28-30°C / 82-86°F from Discus tank).

Compatibility and Cohabitation: Elite, exhibition model. Jewels of an immense community alongside the sensitive and shy classic schooling Discus and Amazonian motoro stingrays, with cardinal tetras and spherical armored corydoras of large warm sizes. Absolutely BANNED territorial or frantic fish: dies from intimidation of fatigue if teased by Severum, Aequidens, not to mention the lethal boastful South American butchers.

Aquarium Breeding: Species that lays embedded in deep sand holes in the aquarium. Delayed mouthbrooders only for the final phase; very rare broods with fry wrapped by the mother arrive completely in captivity due to complications from lethal pollutants that decimates offspring in hours.

Risks and Diseases: Staggering 95% mortality rate within 3 years for the neotropical disease 'Exophthalmos', rotting bloody labial ulcers or the terrible 'hole in the head disease' outbreaks for old aquariums or serious non-compliance with scorching temperature and pure suitable soft bottom for rest.