Satanoperca mapiritensis
Satanoperca mapiritensis inhabits the tributaries of the Ria Negro River in the states of Monagas and Bolivar in northern Venezuela. The fish stick to areas with sandy bottoms lined with a bed of fallen plant leaves.
In sexually mature males Satanoperca mapiritensis 4th and 5th rays of dorsal plumage are elongated. The size of the fish is 12-15 cm.
Keep Satanoperca mapiritensis need a group of at least 5-8 individuals. For this number of fish requires an aquarium of 300 liters. This species of fish is surprisingly calm and they do not touch even small fish. When kept in a common aquarium is better to avoid aggressive and territorial fish species.
The soil should be sandy, poured in a layer of 3-4 cm. Apply as a soil gravel and pebbles can not, as fish feeding sift the soil through the gills and in this case may damage the gill filaments.
The lighting should be low. Snags and tree branches can be placed on the bottom. Despite the fact that in natural conditions, the substrate is a fairly thick bedding of fallen leaves, in the aquarium is not recommended to place leaves on the bottom. This is due to the fact that in the process of feeding fish swarm in the ground picking up a lot of mud from the bottom and leaf litter, in the process of decomposition, will contribute to the formation of more mud, which in a fairly short time can contaminate the entire water filter completely blocking its work.
Water quality is of paramount importance, as these cichlids are very sensitive to the stability of its chemical parameters. In this regard, you can not release the fish in just poured biologically immature aquarium. It is desirable to use an external filter canister type. Water parameters: temperature 22-28° C, hardness dH 1-10°, acidity pH 5,5-7,5. It is necessary weekly replacement of at least 1/2 of the aquarium water fresh.
Satanoperca mapiritensis feeds on artemia, live and frozen moths, and dry flake foods containing spirulina. Feed the fish in small portions 3-4 times a day.
Reproduction
Satanoperca mapiritensis reaches sexual maturity at the age of about 1.5 years.
Before spawning, the producers make a hole in the ground where the female hatch the eggs in small portions. The male immediately fertilizes the eggs. In total, during the spawning female hatch about 200 eggs. At the end of the spawning process, the producers cover the clutch with a layer of sand. The female is constantly at the nest swatting it with her fins, and the male is nearby and protects the territory from uninvited guests.
The eggs are incubated in the sand for 3 days, after which the producers dig it up and from the eggs hatch larvae, which after 4-5 days begin to swim and feed. To preserve the stock of fry, it is desirable to transfer them at this time in another aquarium.
The fry are fed artemia.
Life expectancy of Satanoperca mapiritensis in aquarium conditions is about 10-15 years.
