We obtained this wonderful, glittering eartheater from Venezuela. The size is 15-18 cm. Members of the genus Satanoperca are also called “devilfishes”, but despite this horrible name the fish are extremely peaceful. They live over sandy bottoms which they browse through in search for food. In such a habitat it makes no sense to defend a territory. Devilfishes are biparental, ovophilous mouthbrooders, which means that bot parents take alternating the young fish in the mouth. So one of the parents is always able to feed. Only in high danger the young fish are allowed to enter the mouth of both parents. However, the eggs are incubated by the female fish alone.
The name “devilfish” has been given to these nice cichlids by native fishermen in Amazonia. In the original description of S. jurupari, Heckel writes (1840): ” … his name Juruparí pindá means devil´s fishing rod in Lingua geral”. It is thought that the fishermen were disgusted by the fact that the fish seemed to give birth to the offspring through the mouth and so associated the harmless creature with the devil.
For our customers: Satanoperca: Latin, means “devil´s perch”. mapiritensis: after the type locality, the Rio Mapirito
Suggestion of a common name: Glitter Devilfish
Text & photos: Frank Schäfer
| Angaben zum Tier | |
|---|---|
| Herkunft | Venezuela |
| Verfügbare Größe in cm | 15-20 |
