Overview
Amazonian freshwater predator, aggressive with spectacular colors.
Identification
Eye spot on the tailWide mouthBright colorationProminent vertical bands
- Body
- Long and robust body with a large mouth.
- Colouration
- Brightly colored with dark spots and vertical bands, often with an eye spot on the tail.
- Sexual dimorphism
- Absent/not very noticeable
- Growth
- Fast, especially in the early years of life
Taxonomy
- Family
- Cichlidae
- Order
- Perciformes
- Class
- Actinopterygii
Related species
Cichla monoculusCichla temensisCichla mirianae
Habitat & distribution
- Environment
- coast, estuaries, brackish
- Preferred bottom
- sand, mud, gravel
- Geographic distribution
- Native to the Amazon and Orinoco rivers, introduced in other tropical regions.
- Micro-habitat
- Prefers areas rich in vegetation and submerged structures like roots and logs.
Forms complex habitats in tropical rivers with submerged roots and leaves.
Presence by sea area
Sa Brasile NordPeak
Sa Brasile EstPeak
Diet
- Primary prey
- fish, aquatic insects, crustaceans
- Secondary prey
- amphibians, insect larvae
- Occasional prey
- small reptiles, fallen fruits
- Feeding behaviour
- Voracious predator, mainly hunts at dawn and dusk, attacking prey swiftly.
- Natural predators
- crocodiles, snakes, large water birds
Opportunistic predator, adapts to prey availability.
Behaviour
- Activity
- diurnal
- Social behaviour
- solitary
- Aggressiveness
- high
- Migration
- Non-migratory
- Seasonal behaviour
- Increased predatory activity during the wet season when waters expand.
- Juveniles
- Juveniles stay in groups to protect against predators.
- Adults
- Adults are territorial, hunting and breeding in defined areas.
Reproduction
- Spawning season
- September, October, November
- Spawning depth
- between 3 and 9 feet
- Eggs
- Adhesive eggs laid on hard surfaces, benthic
- Larval stage
- Larvae are pelagic, feeding on plankton in early stages.
- Sexual maturity
- 2-3 years
When to catch Peacock bass
Activity calendar
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
PeakGoodLowInactive
Activity by season
Best times
Dayalba, mattina, tramonto
Night—
This species shows peak fishing activity in spring, summer and autumn, when the productivity index (FPI) reaches its highest values.
Fishing activity decreases in winter, when conditions are less favourable.
Ideal conditions
Atmospheric pressure
Low
Extremely active and aggressive.
Medium
Good activity.
High
Less reactive.
Barometric trend
Water temperature
10°COptimal zone: 14-24°C27°C
Preferred tide: moving
Where to catch it
Best spots
near submerged structuresclose to rootsareas with dense vegetationlimestone ledges
Bottom preference
Spot type
Fishing techniques
Recommended
spinningcastingtopwater fishingfly fishing
Other applicable
CastingLive BaitingPoppingSpinningSpinning MedioSpinning Pesante
Recommended baits
artificial lureslive minnowsfake frogsfloating fruit
Baits by pressure
Low
TopwaterProp baitPopper
Medium
JerkbaitSpinnerbait
High
JigSoftbait lento
Catch & handling tips
- Fight
- Strong and energetic, known for spectacular jumps out of water.
- Handling
- Wear gloves to avoid scratches from teeth and scales.
- Release
- Ensure the fish is well-oxygenated before release.
Curiosities & culture
- Record catches
- The IGFA all-tackle world record for peacock bass (Cichla ocellaris) is about 27.25 lbs, caught in the Rio Negro, Brazil. Peacock bass are highly prized in Brazilian waters, where specimens often exceed 22 lbs, making them coveted trophies in freshwater sport fishing.
- In the kitchen
- Valued for its firm white meat, often grilled or fried.
- Cultural notes
- Considered a symbol of strength and beauty in Amazonian countries.
- Historical notes
- Introduced in many regions as a sport fish, it has impacted local ecosystems.
