Sveni Eartheater
Geophagus sveni
- Care level
- Intermediate
- Adult size
- 15–22 cm
- Minimum tank
- 400 litres
- Temperature
- 24–29 °C
Species profile
Sharphead Eartheater
Satanoperca acuticeps
Common names: Sharphead Eartheater
Recognized speciesCichlids
Adult size
Up to 22 cm
Typical adult length 15–22 cm.
Up to 22 cm
Countries of origin
Good fit for your tank?
Good fit for
- Mature planted aquarium setups
- Advanced shrimp keepers
Think carefully if
- The aquarium contains shrimp-eating fish
- The tank is newly cycled
- Water conditions change frequently
A pointed-headed Amazonian sand-sifter that needs a peaceful group, fine substrate, and pristine water.
Appearance and Identification
A slender silver-gold Satanoperca with a pointed snout, blue-green iridescence, dark flank markings, and reddish fins.
The pointed head and pattern separate it from deeper-headed Satanoperca, but locality and adult markings remain important.
Sexes are similar. Adult males may be somewhat larger and longer-finned.
Tank Requirements
- Suggested filter
- About 1,800–2,250 litres an hour
- Suggested heater
- About 450–675 W for this tank
- Minimum tank volume
- 450 litres
- Minimum tank length
- 180 cm
- Minimum group size
- 5
- Recommended group size
- 6
- Activity level
- High
- Flow preference
- Moderate
- Planting preference
- Moderately planted
- Hiding places
- Yes
- Lid recommended
- Yes
- Jumping risk
- Low
Keep a group over a broad bed of fine sand with powerful filtration, high oxygen, wood, and open swimming room.
Behaviour and Tankmates
Peaceful, social, and constantly sifts sand for edible particles.
Maintain at least five or six to spread social pressure.
Pairs defend a temporary breeding site.
Use calm medium to large South American fish. Small fish and shrimp may be eaten.
Water Parameters
Warm soft acidic water is preferred. Excellent cleanliness and low nitrate are essential.
Parameter caveat
Never use sharp gravel. Small groups and dirty substrate lead to stress and disease.
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Manual aquarium siphon and gravel cleaner
A manual siphon for routine aquarium water changes and accessible waste removal. The seller lists a hose approximately 1.6 m long.
Control the flow and keep the intake clear of fish and delicate planting. Clean the areas appropriate for your substrate and layout rather than disturbing the entire planted bed.
Daraz NepalCheck availability on Daraz
Feeding
- Diet types
- Detritivore, Insectivore, Omnivore
- Feeding frequency
- Daily
- Preferred foods
- Quality sinking cichlid pelletUse a staple pellet appropriate to the fish size and mouth shape.
- Chopped shrimp, mussel, or earthwormOffer clean unseasoned portions as rotating protein foods.
- Blanched leafy greens or peasUseful for omnivorous and plant-eating species; remove leftovers promptly.
- Frozen krill or mysisFeed in moderation to add variety and support colour.
An omnivorous benthic sifter taking invertebrates, detritus, and plant material.
Feed small sinking portions across the sand several times daily.
Breeding
- Breeding type
- Egg Layer, Mouthbrooder, Substrate Spawner
- Breeding difficulty
- Difficult
- Breeding temperature
- 28 °C
- Breeding pH
- 6
- Brood or egg count
- Several hundred eggs.
- Incubation
- 3 days
- Parental care
- Biparental care
- Baby foods
- Newly hatched brine shrimpSuitable after yolk absorption for most cichlid fry.
- Crushed high-quality cichlid pelletIntroduce gradually as fry grow.
- Finely chopped frozen cyclopsUseful supplementary food for larger fry.
A biparental substrate-spawning mouthbrooder. Eggs are laid on a cleaned surface and larvae are later carried by the parents.
Habitat and Origin
- Geographic origin
- Amazon Basin, Brazil, South America
- Natural habitat
- Floodplain, Freshwater River, Lake, Sand/Mud Substrate
- Aquarium contexts
- Breeding Aquarium, Freshwater Aquarium, Large Freshwater Aquarium
- Audience level
- Advanced
Classification
- Profile type
- Recognized species
- Genus
- Satanoperca
- Family
- Cichlidae
- Species group
- Cichlids, Fish, South American Cichlids
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Uaru Cichlid
Uaru amphiacanthoides
- Care level
- Advanced
- Adult size
- 20–30 cm
- Minimum tank
- 600 litres
- Temperature
- 26–30 °C
Whitespot Eartheater
Satanoperca leucosticta
- Care level
- Advanced
- Adult size
- 15–20 cm
- Minimum tank
- 400 litres
- Temperature
- 24–29 °C
Yellow Acara
Aequidens metae
- Care level
- Intermediate
- Adult size
- 12–18 cm
- Minimum tank
- 250 litres
- Temperature
- 24–29 °C