All fish / Cichlidae

Lilith Eartheater

Satanoperca lilith

Also known as lilith eartheater, lilith geophagus, satanoperca lilith, black spot eartheater, geophagus lilith, lilith demon fish, サタノペルカ・リリス, 莉莉丝珍珠豹

A slender eartheater with a long snout, golden to tan body, iridescent blue facial lines and one large dark blotch high on each flank. Keepers like it for its calm group behaviour and the way it sifts sand through its gills while hunting for food.

Care at a glance

Care level

Hard

Temperament

Peaceful

Adult size

18 cm

Temperature

26 to 30 °C

pH

4.5 to 6.8

Smallest tank

400 litres

Keep as

Group of 5 or more

Diet

Omnivore: sinking pellets, small invertebrates such as bloodworm and brine shrimp, and some vegetable matter

Swims

Bottom of the tank

Lifespan

8 to 12 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Middle Rio Negro and Amazon basin, Brazil

Breeding

It is a delayed mouthbrooder: eggs are laid on a stone or wood surface, and the parents take the larvae into their mouths after hatching. Captive spawning is uncommon and needs soft, acidic, very clean water.

Good to know

It is sensitive to nitrate and poor water quality, so it needs fine sand and frequent large water changes. It is often confused with Satanoperca daemon and S. jurupari.