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Eartheater (Satanoperca leucosticta) — Cichlidae

Eartheater

Satanoperca leucosticta
Family: Cichlidae
LC · Least Concern

The Eartheater (Satanoperca leucosticta) is a freshwater fish of the family Cichlidae that grows up to 15 cm.

Length
15 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Rarely eaten

Description

The eartheater is a South American cichlid (Cichlidae) from the Amazon region. The species has a fairly deep, greyish body with numerous iridescent blue-white spots and lines on the head and flank. It lives over sandy bottoms of quiet rivers and creeks, where it takes in mouthfuls of sand and sifts out small invertebrates, organic matter and detritus. It is a mouthbrooder that protects the eggs and young in the mouth. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Eartheater?

The Eartheater has a flattened, disc-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Eartheater live?

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

How big does the Eartheater get?

The Eartheater grows to a maximum of about 15 cm.

Is the Eartheater dangerous to humans?

No, the Eartheater is harmless to humans.

Is the Eartheater edible?

The Eartheater is rarely eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Witstip-aardeter sourced
English name
Eartheater sourced
Scientific name
Satanoperca leucosticta
Family
Cichlidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
15.0 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Pattern
Spots inferred
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups inferred
Territorial
Yes inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
Yes inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely eaten sourced
Fishing method
Klein van stuk en nauwelijks een hengelsportdoel; wordt vooral incidenteel of als aasvis gevangen. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

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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