Three Spot Geophagus (Satanoperca Daemon)

Three Spot Eartheater

(Satanoperca daemon)

The Three Spot Eartheater is a striking South American cichlid known for its shimmering blue spotting, long flowing fins, and bold black markings along the body. Native to slow-moving rivers and sandy-bottom habitats in the Amazon basin, this species spends much of its time sifting through substrate in search of small foods—giving it the “eartheater” name.

Despite its intimidating scientific name, Satanoperca daemon is generally peaceful for its size and does well with other calm to moderately active South American fish. Its elegant swimming style and reflective coloration make it a standout centerpiece in large natural aquariums.

Max Size

8–10 inches in captivity

Tank Size

Minimum: 75 gallons
Recommended: 125+ gallons for groups

Diet

Omnivore
Enjoys quality pellets, frozen bloodworms, mysis shrimp, chopped shrimp, and other protein-rich foods

Temperament

Peaceful to semi-aggressive
Best kept with similarly sized South American cichlids, plecos, and larger schooling fish

Water Parameters

Temperature: 76–82°F
pH: 5.5–7.2
Soft to moderately hard water preferred

Aquarium Setup

A soft sand substrate is highly recommended, as this species naturally sifts sand through its gills while feeding. Driftwood, leaf litter, smooth rocks, and subdued lighting help recreate its natural environment and bring out its best coloration.