Jurupari Geophagus: The Gentle Earth-Eater of the Amazon

The Jurupari Geophagus, often referred to as the Demon Earth-Eater, is one of the most peaceful and captivating South American cichlids. Despite its ominous nickname—derived from the Latin genus name Satanoperca—this fish is a calm, substrate-sifting beauty that adds elegance and natural behavior to a large freshwater aquarium.

A Peaceful South American Native

Native to the Amazon and its tributaries, the Jurupari Geophagus (Satanoperca jurupari) prefers slow-moving waters with soft, sandy bottoms. In the wild, they use their mouth to sift through sand in search of small invertebrates and organic debris, a fascinating behavior that aquarists love to observe.

Appearance

This species has a sleek, silvery-gold body with iridescent green or blue highlights, especially along the face and gill plates. Some individuals also develop faint vertical barring or a subtle spot near the tail base. Their dorsal and anal fins are often elongated and delicately edged with color, giving them a graceful appearance in the water.

Behavior and Temperament

Despite their size and cichlid status, Jurupari Geophagus are peaceful and shy, especially compared to more aggressive cichlids. They do best in groups and are generally non-confrontational, though mild squabbling can occur among males in a group setting.

They are most active near the bottom of the tank, gently scooping and spitting sand through their gills as they search for food—an incredibly naturalistic and calming behavior to witness.

Care Requirements

• Scientific Name: Satanoperca jurupari

• Common Name: Jurupari Geophagus, Demon Earth-Eater

• Adult Size: 8–10 inches

• Temperament: Peaceful to semi-aggressive when breeding

• Tank Size: 75 gallons or more recommended

• Lifespan: 10–12 years

Water Parameters:

• Temperature: 76–82°F

• pH: 6.0–7.5

• Hardness: Soft to moderately hard

• Substrate: Fine sand is a must for natural behavior

Diet

In the wild, Jurupari sift through the substrate for worms, insects, and organic matter. In captivity, they are omnivorous and enjoy a varied diet:

• Sinking pellets (specifically for cichlids)

• Frozen bloodworms, brine shrimp, daphnia

• Live foods like blackworms or small insects

• Occasional blanched vegetables

Feeding a high-quality diet will help enhance their subtle iridescent coloration.

Tankmates

These cichlids can be kept in community setups with other peaceful to moderately sized fish. Ideal companions include:

• Severums

• Uaru

• Congo Tetras

• Silver Dollars

• Larger peaceful catfish (like Synodontis or Brochis)

• Other Geophagus-type cichlids

Avoid overly aggressive cichlids, fin-nippers, or overly small fish that may be mistaken for food.

Breeding Notes

Jurupari Geophagus are delayed mouthbrooders, a unique and fascinating reproductive strategy:

1. The female lays eggs on a flat surface.

2. After a brief period, she picks up the eggs into her mouth.

3. Fry hatch and are held for protection until they’re ready to swim freely.

Breeding can be challenging due to their subtle pairing behavior and long brood care period, but it is possible in a quiet, species-only tank with warm, clean water and lots of hiding spots.

---

Why Choose the Jurupari Geophagus?

✅ Elegant, shimmering appearance
✅ Peaceful nature suitable for community tanks
✅ Natural substrate-sifting behavior
✅ Long-lived and intelligent
✅ A great introduction to South American cichlids

---

The Jurupari Geophagus is a gem for aquarists who appreciate natural behavior, tranquility, and subtle beauty. Whether kept alone in a biotope setup or in a harmonious South American community, this earth-eater will win you over with its calm presence and gentle grace.

Ready to build a peaceful Amazon-themed tank? The Jurupari Geophagus is the perfect centerpiece to get you started.