fish

Satanoperca cf. pappaterra

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Pantanal Eartheater

Satanoperca cf. pappaterra is a freshwater fish belonging to the family of Cichlidae. It is easily distinguished from all known congeners by presence of a series of prominent black blotches beneath the dorsal-fin, plus a well-defined dark band extending along the side of the body.

Satanoperca pappaterra is distributed in South America: Amazon River basin, in the Guaporé River in Brazil and Bolivia; Paraná River basin, in the Paraguay River drainage in Brazil and northern Paraguay (to the Aquidabán River).

This Satanoperca cf. pappaterra was found in the Rio Inirida.

Submitted by
Natasha Khardina
GPS
3.4601979, -67.9724503
Geographical region
South America
Drainage Basin
Rio Orinoco
River catchment
Water body type
River
Water body name
Inirida
Water body part
Rapids
Water body course
Upper course
Water body: tributary of
Rio
Tributary name
Orinoco
Type locality
Rio Guaporé, Mato Grosso, Brazil
Conservation status/IUCN Red List
Not Evaluated (NE)

Water Chemistry

Water information

Water type
Fresh water
Water color
Black water
Water transparency
Medium
Concentration of sediments
Low
Water temperature
24-27 °C
Water flow/curent
Slow

Chemical parameters

pH
7.0
Conductivity
24
GH
KH
Dissolved Oxygen

Biology

Standard length
27.5 cm
Water volume (min. aquarium)
200 l
Social behaviour
Group fish
Behaviour description

Satanoperca cf. pappaterra is a gregarious species. Unless breeding, this species is surprisingly peaceful and will not predate on fishes larger than a few millimetres in length.

Aggression grade
Peacefull
Activity
Day active
Sexual dimorphism

Adult females tend to grow slightly smaller than males and are deeper-bodied when gravid.

Nutrition in Nature

This species is benthophagous. Food mostly comprise small aquatic and terrestrial invertebrates including cladocerans, ostracods, and insect larvae (particularly chironomids), plus plant material (seeds), organic detritus and sediment.

Reproduction

Breeding tank set-up

In some cases the male may also pick up some eggs but does not usually hold them for long. If maintaining the adults in a community situation it is recommended to remove brooding females since the fry become easy prey for other fishes, including conspecifics, once released.

Nutrition parents

They accept small live or frozen bloodworm, Tubifex, Artemia, mosquito larvae, etc. At least some of the dried products should contain a high proportion of vegetable matter such as Spirulina or similar.

Mating type
Monogamous
Spawning behaviour

This species is ovophile mouth brooder. Courtship is initiated by the male, with nuptial individuals forming territories which are typically centred around a piece of driftwood, rock or other solid object. Gravid females are courted and when a pair forms they may defend the territory together for a few days prior to spawning.

Breeding habits
Substrate-spawning
Hatching period
Number of eggs in average
Several hundreds
Parental care
Yes
Fry number
Variable
Nutrition fry

Once the fry are free swimming they are easily-fed, accepting good quality powdered dry foods, Artemia nauplii, microworm, etc.

Notes on reproduction

In some cases the male may also pick up some eggs but does not usually hold them for long. If maintaining the adults in a community situation it is recommended to remove brooding females since the fry become easy prey for other fishes, including conspecifics, once released.