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Sharphead eartheater (Satanoperca acuticeps) — Cichlidae

Sharphead eartheater

Satanoperca acuticeps
Family: Cichlidae

The Sharphead eartheater (Satanoperca acuticeps) is a freshwater fish of the family Cichlidae that grows up to 17 cm.

Length
17 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Carnivore
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The sharphead eartheater is a cichlid from blackwater rivers of the Amazon basin in South America. The species grows to about 17 cm and has an elongate, yellow-grey body with a few dark blotches and a pointed head. As a bottom-dweller it sifts mouthfuls of sand, filtering out small invertebrates, larvae and detritus. It is a mouthbrooder. The fish is harmless to humans and is known from the aquarium trade.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Sharphead eartheater?

The Sharphead eartheater has a flattened, disc-shaped body and is mainly yellow-gold.

Where does the Sharphead eartheater live?

The Sharphead eartheater lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom.

How big does the Sharphead eartheater get?

The Sharphead eartheater grows to a maximum of about 17 cm.

Is the Sharphead eartheater dangerous to humans?

No, the Sharphead eartheater is harmless to humans.

Is the Sharphead eartheater edible?

Yes, the Sharphead eartheater is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Spitskop-aardeter sourced
English name
Sharphead eartheater sourced
Scientific name
Satanoperca acuticeps
Family
Cichlidae
Other names
Sharphead eartheater verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
17.0 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Yellow / gold sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore inferred
Territorial
Yes inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
Yes inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten inferred
Fishing method
Bodemvissen met natuurlijk aas (worm, garnaal of vis) op of vlak boven de bodem. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Satanoperca

More from the family Cichlidae

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