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Are Eartheaters (from the Satanoperca and Geophagus genus in particular) compatible with bolivian rams amd smaller tetras such as rummynoses? I'm asking this because im thinking about getting an eartheater for my new 75g and I'm aiming towards either a Satanoperca jarupari or a Geophagus steindachneri.

Thanks in advance

With bolivian rams definitely.
Not sure about the small tetras,
theyd probably be eaten eventually.


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Big Satanoperca species reach 10 inches or more in length. At that size, your Rummies are definitely lunch.

Basically, if the fish you're after grows to more than 5 inches as an adult, chances are it will look increasingly upon your Rummies as a snack. There are exceptions of course, and each species needs to be researched individually to check for compatibility issues, but, in the main, a Cichlid that hits 10 inches in length is best regarded as unsafe with anything small enough to swallow.


Panda Catfish fan and keeper/breeder since Christmas 2002

I dont already have the rummynoses, I was just thinking about getting them. I might get curviceps or apistos instead of an eartheater, depending on whichever I find first. If I do happen to get an eartheater, though, I'll just stick with congo tetras and bleeding hearts.

Well, I went to the LFS today and came home with a great looking 3in. Jurupari It hasn't even been 1 hour since I introduced him into the tank and he's already become accustomed with his surroundings, hanging out in the front of the tank, fins erect, and eating like a pig . I will try and get some pics of this beauty by tomorrow.

These were the only 2 half-decent pics i could get of him-

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f187/zachf92/Picture3005.jpg

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f187/zachf92/Picture3003.jpg

Well, it turns out that he's a big wuss, and wont even stand up to my bully bolivian ram who's half the size of him. Hopefully he'll toughen up in time. Strangely enough, though, it seems as if the eartheater has become friends with my other bolivian ram, as they spend a lot of time together and show absolutely no aggression towards each other. If they did happen to pair up and breed, I could only imagine how deformed the fry would be

First of all - tangential diversion. That's a nice spotted loach in one of your pics. What is it?

Second, I'm informed that there's a fair amount of scope for confusion over Eartheaters - can you be sure that they are t5rue Satanoperca jurupari, and not one of the related lookalikes? You might find this article from the Cichlid Room to be useful. That article, incidentally, cites that Innes in his venerable book got it wrong over Satanoperca acuticeps (which at that time, along with the other Satanoperca species, was places in Geophagus) and that confusion has reigned ever since, even catching out some of the experts such as Dr Paul Loiselle!

This article goes even further with respect to the fishes - namely that because of the variation in colour pattern seen in a brace of wild caught individuals, the possibility exists that we may be dealing with a species complex, instead of single, well defined species, until the likes of Kullander et al conduct a revision of the Genus and examine the available material (holotypes, paratypes and newly collected specimens) in order to sort out once and for all just what species our various Eartheater Cichlids belong to!

Also, this article on Satanoperca jurupari (or whatever the fish in that illustration happens to be, given the confusion I've outlined above!) says you have to be careful with substrates. Because they sift the substrate for food, it's wise to ensure that no substrate particles are large enough to be caught in the throat.

Finally, it remains for me to say that despite your own worries about photo quality, those images depict a VERY nice fish that you'll have LOTS of fun keeping. Especially as, given its feeding mode, it will be a substate excavator on an epic scale, and will, when larger, rearrange your aquarium like mad!


Panda Catfish fan and keeper/breeder since Christmas 2002

That's a nice spotted loach in one of your pics. What is it?

Those loaches are Polka Dot Botias (Botia kubotai)

I am almost certain that my eartheater is Satanoperca jurupari. If not, then it is a leucosticta (even though they may be the same species)

I am aware that my flourite substrate might not be best for my eartheater. Therefore, i am going to keep my eco-complete (which is a very fine substrate when compared to flourite) in the front of the tank, and i am going to have the flourite in the back, which is going to be densly planted. After taking a good look at my eartheater, i can now estimate that he is around 4" in length, so i dont think that a substrate as fine as sand is necessary.