Satanoperca lilith

Satanoperca lilith is a large and elegant eartheater cichlid from the Rio Negro and Rio Branco drainages of Brazil, featuring a luminous pearlescent body scattered with turquoise-green spangling and a distinctive dark spot on the upper flank. A soft-water specialist and obligate sand sifter, it requires a deep fine sand substrate to exhibit its natural feeding behaviour — scooping mouthfuls of sand and sifting for invertebrates. Its graceful bearing and subtle iridescent beauty reward patient, experienced keepers.

Provide at least 15 cm of fine inert sand substrate for sifting behaviour. Maintain very soft, warm, acidic water (pH 4.5–6.5, temp 26–30°C) mimicking blackwater Rio Negro conditions. Use efficient filtration tolerant of disturbed substrate. Feed sinking pellets, frozen bloodworm, Tubifex, and Cyclops. Peaceful with similarly sized, non-aggressive tankmates. Sensitive to poor water quality.