Care and Compatibility of Blue Acara - Satanoperca daemon


Introduction

The Satanoperca daemon, also known as Blue Acara or Demon Eartheater, is a species of cichlid native to South America, particularly the basins of the Amazon and Orinoco rivers. It is characterized by its bluish coloration and spotted pattern on the body. Males are usually larger and display more intense colors than females. They are peaceful and territorial fish, so it is recommended to keep them in groups and in sufficiently large aquariums to allow them to establish their territory. They enjoy having hiding places and caves in the aquarium where they can take shelter. In terms of feeding, they are omnivorous and accept a variety of foods, including pellets, flakes, live, and frozen foods. During reproduction, they form monogamous pairs and actively care for and protect their egg clutch and fry. The fry can be fed with small live foods such as infusoria and newly hatched brine shrimp.

Behavior

The Satanoperca daemon is a peaceful and territorial fish. It is recommended to keep them in groups and in sufficiently large aquariums to allow them to establish their territory. They enjoy having hiding places and caves in the aquarium where they can take shelter and explore. They are active but calm fish and often display curious and territorial behavior towards other fish that invade their space. Maintaining good water quality and performing regular water changes are key factors for their well-being.

Sexual Dimorphism

Sexual dimorphism in Satanoperca daemon is minimal and difficult to distinguish. Both males and females have a similar appearance. However, during the breeding season, they may exhibit more pronounced territorial and courtship behaviors.

Reproduction

Reproduction in Satanoperca daemon is oviparous. They form monogamous pairs and actively care for and protect their egg clutch and fry. The male and female choose a suitable location in the aquarium, usually a flat surface or a cave, to deposit the eggs. Both parents participate in cleaning and ventilating the eggs, as well as protecting the clutch from other fish. After hatching, the parents continue to protect the fry and can feed them with small live foods such as infusoria and newly hatched brine shrimp. It is recommended to provide sufficient hiding places and structures in the aquarium for the fry to take shelter and grow safely.

Aquarium Conditions

Satanoperca daemon is a freshwater fish that requires a spacious aquarium with décor including rocks, driftwood, and sandy substrate. It prefers slightly acidic and well-oxygenated water. Dense vegetation and open swimming areas are important to recreate its natural habitat. Maintaining water quality is crucial and providing a varied diet.

Feeding

The Satanoperca daemon is an omnivorous fish that accepts a variety of foods. Commercial foods in the form of pellets or flakes can be provided, ensuring a balanced diet. Live or frozen foods such as brine shrimp, daphnia, and mosquito larvae can also be included as supplements. It is important to avoid overfeeding and maintain good water quality to ensure their health and well-being.

Complexity

Caring for Satanoperca daemon can be moderately challenging. They are territorial fish and can be aggressive towards other fish of the same species, especially during breeding and territory defense. It's recommended to keep them in pairs or large groups to distribute aggression. They require a balanced diet and regular aquarium maintenance.


In case you need more help, or if you want to know into any topic related to the Satanoperca daemon (Blue Acara) and even any other species you can use the forums to ask what you need.

To do an analysis more detailed about coexistence and behavior of Satanoperca daemon (Blue Acara) use the Aquarium simulation tool, if you do this you can test different ways to combine the Blue Acara with other fishes giving the dimensions and space on you aquarium, on this way you can known the optimal configuration for keep the fishes that you want.

You can also find out the 45 species compatible with the Satanoperca daemon (Blue Acara) can live together.

Note: The parameters of the water such as PH and temperature are also used to calculate the compatibility of the species.


Compatible species (45)

Compatible (12 Species)

Compatible without any restriction


Striped Raphael Catfish - Platydoras costatus

Striped Raphael Catfish

Platydoras costatus

Suckermouth catfish - Hypostomus plecostomus

Suckermouth catfish

Hypostomus plecostomus

Altum Angelfish - Pterophyllum altum

Altum Angelfish

Pterophyllum altum

Red Rainbowfish - Glossolepis incisus

Red Rainbowfish

Glossolepis incisus

Stick Catfish - Farlowella acus

Stick Catfish

Farlowella acus

Mije Fish - Leporinus fasciatus

Mije Fish

Leporinus fasciatus

Empire Gudgeon - Hypseleotris compressa

Empire Gudgeon

Hypseleotris compressa

Flag Cichlid - Mesonauta festivus

Flag Cichlid

Mesonauta festivus

Boeseman's Rainbowfish - Melanotaenia Boesemani

Boeseman's Rainbowfish

Melanotaenia Boesemani

Apple Snail - Pomacea bridgesii

Apple Snail

Pomacea bridgesii

Blue Acara - Satanoperca daemon

Blue Acara

Satanoperca daemon

Galaxy Plecostomus - Leporacanthicus sp L240

Galaxy Plecostomus

Leporacanthicus sp L240

Similar Sizes (11 Species)

They can coexist if they are the same size or very similar sizes, it does not work in all cases, there may be exceptions.


Upside-Down Catfish - Synodontis nigriventris

Upside-Down Catfish

Synodontis nigriventris

Spotted Dora Catfish - Agamyxus pectinifrons

Spotted Dora Catfish

Agamyxus pectinifrons

Bamboo Shrimp - Atyopsis moluccensis

Bamboo Shrimp

Atyopsis moluccensis

Moenkhausia Pittieri - Moenkhausia pittieri

Moenkhausia Pittieri

Moenkhausia pittieri

Semifasciolatus Barb - Puntius semifasciolatus

Semifasciolatus Barb

Puntius semifasciolatus

Dwarf Tetra - Hasemania nana

Dwarf Tetra

Hasemania nana

Pictus Catfish - Pimelodus pictus

Pictus Catfish

Pimelodus pictus

Blue-Eyed Pseudomugil - Pseudomugil paskai

Blue-Eyed Pseudomugil

Pseudomugil paskai

Forktail Blue-Eye - Pseudomugil furcatus

Forktail Blue-Eye

Pseudomugil furcatus

Espei Rasbora - Trigonostigma espei

Espei Rasbora

Trigonostigma espei

Silver Dollar Fish - Metynnis argenteus

Silver Dollar Fish

Metynnis argenteus

With Reservation (2 Species)

Compatible in some cases, it depends on the nature and personality of the fish.


Red-bellied Piranha - Pygocentrus nattereri

Red-bellied Piranha

Pygocentrus nattereri

Considerable size difference (13 Species)

They can coexist while they are similar in size or the size difference is not very abysmal, since as the fish grows it increases the chances of eating its partner that did not grow much.


Lemon Tetra - Hyphessobrycon pulchripinnis

Lemon Tetra

Hyphessobrycon pulchripinnis

Red-Backed Tetra - Hyphessobrycon bentosi

Red-Backed Tetra

Hyphessobrycon bentosi

Florida Dwarf Crayfish - Cambarellus diminutus

Florida Dwarf Crayfish

Cambarellus diminutus

Blue Bee Shrimp - Paracaridina sp

Blue Bee Shrimp

Paracaridina sp

Amano Shrimp - Caridina multidentata

Amano Shrimp

Caridina multidentata

Anentome Helena - Anentome helena

Anentome Helena

Anentome helena

Stiphodon Ornatus - Stiphodon ornatus

Stiphodon Ornatus

Stiphodon ornatus

Lacustris Rainbowfish - Melanotaenia lacustris

Lacustris Rainbowfish

Melanotaenia lacustris

Cherry Barb - Barbus titteya

Cherry Barb

Barbus titteya

Cockatoo Dwarf Cichlid - Apistogramma viejita

Cockatoo Dwarf Cichlid

Apistogramma viejita

Clown Pleco - Panaqolus maccus

Clown Pleco

Panaqolus maccus

Royal Pleco - Panaque nigrolineatus

Royal Pleco

Panaque nigrolineatus

Congo Tetra - Phenacogrammus interruptus

Congo Tetra

Phenacogrammus interruptus

Compatible if space is enough (7 Species)

They can coexist together if the aquarium they share is large and spacious enough for both species to feel good, as some fish may attack others to feel that they have little space and try to eliminate the competition.


Clown Loach - Chromobotia macracanthus

Clown Loach

Chromobotia macracanthus

Discus fish - Symphysodon aequifasciatus

Discus fish

Symphysodon aequifasciatus

Leopard Cactus Pleco - Hypancistrus Furunculus L199

Leopard Cactus Pleco

Hypancistrus Furunculus L199

False Discus - Heros severus

False Discus

Heros severus

Bicolor Shark - Epalzeorhynchos bicolor

Bicolor Shark

Epalzeorhynchos bicolor

Black Ghost Knife Fish - Apteronotus albifrons

Black Ghost Knife Fish

Apteronotus albifrons

Kribensis Cichlid - Pelvicachromis pulcher

Kribensis Cichlid

Pelvicachromis pulcher

Blue Acara

Satanoperca daemon

Blue Acara - Satanoperca daemon
  • Ph: 5 - 6.5
  • Temperature (c°): 26 - 28
  • Measures: 20 cm - 25cm
  • Aquarium Capacity:
    75 Liters - 20 Gallons
  • Behavior: Peaceful
  • Size: Medium
  • Swimming area: Swim in the middle of the aquarium
  • Water Type: Sweet water