All fish / Cichlidae

Jurupari Earth Eater

Satanoperca jurupari

Also known as jurupari, demon fish, demonfish, earth eater, eartheater, jurupari eartheater, satanoperca jurupari, geophagus jurupari, サタノペルカ・ジュルパリ, 珍珠关刀

A long snouted South American cichlid with a golden to olive body, rows of iridescent blue spots on the face and fins, and a long dorsal fin. It is kept for its calm nature and its fascinating habit of sifting mouthfuls of sand through the gills to find food.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Peaceful

Adult size

20 cm

Temperature

25 to 30 °C

pH

5.5 to 7.5

Smallest tank

300 litres

Keep as

Group of 5 or more

Diet

Omnivore: sinking pellets, granules, bloodworm, brine shrimp, small crustaceans and some vegetable matter

Swims

Bottom of the tank

Lifespan

8 to 12 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Amazon basin and Guianas: Brazil, Peru, Colombia, French Guiana, Guyana, Suriname

Breeding

A delayed mouthbrooder: the pair spawns on a flat stone and the parents pick up the eggs or young larvae after a day or so, sheltering the fry in their mouths. Breeding is quite achievable in a mature, soft water tank with a settled pair.

Good to know

Needs a soft sand substrate and very clean water with low nitrate, as it is prone to hole in the head disease. Grows to around 20 cm or more, so it needs a large tank, and it is often confused with Satanoperca leucosticta, which is commonly sold under this name.