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💧 Freshwater Least Concern 🍽️ Edible 🐠 Aquarium 🌡️ Tropical

Threespot eartheater

Satanoperca daemon Heckel, 1840
Max Length
20.9 cm
Max Weight
-
Lifespan
-
Trophic Level
3.1
Depth
-
Climate
Tropical
Resilience
High
Vulnerability
28.00/100
Typical Length
-
Depth Zone
-

📖 Overview

Threespot eartheater (Satanoperca daemon), first described by Heckel, 1840 is a medium-sized fish in the family Cichlidae (order Cichliformes). Adults typically reach 20.90 cm in maximum length. It inhabits freshwater systems including rivers, streams, and lakes. It occurs in Tropical waters. It is broadly omnivorous, taking invertebrates, plant matter, and detritus. On the IUCN Red List, it is classified as Least Concern.The species is important as a food fish, kept in the aquarium hobby, and considered a sustainable seafood option under current management. As a member of the Cichlidae, it shares life-history and morphological traits with its relatives in the group.

Scientific Name
Satanoperca daemon
Authority
Heckel, 1840
Habitat
Freshwater
Climate
Tropical
IUCN Status
LC
Max Length
20.9 cm
Trophic Level
3.1
Resilience
High
Vulnerability
28.00/100
Water Temp
27–30 °C
Salinity
0–0.5 ppt

🔬 Taxonomy

🐟 Physical Description

Physical description for Threespot eartheater is currently being compiled.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Threespot eartheater is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

aquatic invertebrates
small fish
algae
detritus

🥚 Reproduction

🐣 Oviparous 👄 Mouth Brooder 🛡️ Egg Guarder
Spawning Season
spring
Spawn Location
Substrate
Fertilization
External

Deposits eggs in a pit and covers them with grosser substrate. The Young find the way out by themselves.

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Freshwater; benthopelagic; pH range: 6.0 - ? ; dH range: 5 - 10. Tropical; 27°C - 30°C South America: Amazon River basin, in the upper Negro River in Brazil and Venezuela; Orinoco River basin in Colombia and Venezuela.

🌿 Ecology

Zone Preferences
💧 Freshwater
Trophic Level
3.1±0.4

📐 Morphometrics

Length–Weight Relationship: W = 0.02344 × L3.01 (TL)
Max TL
20.9cm

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

Temperature Range
27–30°C
Salinity Range
0–0.5ppt

🛡️ Conservation Assessment

IUCN Category
Least Concern
Assessment Date
2020

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

Population Resilience
High
Minimum doubling time
Fishing Vulnerability
28.00/100
Low vulnerability
Trophic Level
3.1
Predator
Climate Zone
Tropical
Described By
Heckel, 1840

🍽️ Edibility & Flavour

"Threespot eartheater is an edible species."

✗ Not for Raw
✓ Fresh Indicators
  • Clear, bright eyes — cloudy eyes indicate age
  • Firm flesh that springs back when pressed
  • Fresh ocean smell, never strong or ammonia-like
  • Bright red or pink gills, not grey or brown
  • Shiny, moist skin with scales tightly attached
✗ Avoid If
  • Cloudy or sunken eyes
  • Strong fishy or ammonia odour
  • Soft, mushy flesh that doesn't spring back
  • Discoloured or dry flesh
Best Cooking Methods
Baking Grilling Pan-frying

⚡ Nutrition

Detailed nutritional data for Threespot eartheater is currently being compiled from USDA FoodData Central.

🔬 Mercury Safety

Mercury data for Threespot eartheater has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.

🌿 Sustainability

Best Choice
Healthy stocks, low impact
Good Alternative
Well-managed, minor concerns
Use Caution
Check sourcing and season
Avoid
Overfished or high impact
✓ Sustainable Choice

🔬 Full Nutritional Profile

Per 100g - Raw, per 100g - Source: USDA FoodData Central templates (generic fish average)

Proximate Composition
Energy125 kcal
Moisture75 %
Protein20 %
Total Fat4 %
Ash1.3 %
Fatty Acids (g)
Saturated Fat1 g
Monounsaturated Fat1.2 g
Polyunsaturated Fat1.5 g
Omega-3 Total1 g
EPA0.3 g
DHA0.5 g
Omega-6 Total0.3 g
Key Minerals & Vitamins
Calcium20 mg
Iron0.7 mg
Magnesium30 mg
Phosphorus220 mg
Potassium380 mg
Sodium55 mg
Zinc0.5 mg
Selenium32 µg
Vitamin B122 µg

📊 Population Dynamics

Year Region Index Notes
- - -

🌐 Names & Taxonomy

Language Common Names
🇬🇧English Slender Geophagus · Threespot Eartheater
🇫🇮Finnish paholaistonkija
🇵🇹Portuguese Cará

🗺️ Global Occurrence Map

Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 2 records indexed .

Occurrence density from GBIF View GBIF records ↗

👥 Community & Contribute

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