February’s Fish of the Month: Peacock Bass

​Peacock bass (or Brazilian tucunaré) (Cichla) is a genus of large cichlids, predatory freshwater fish native to the Amazon, Orinoco basins, and Guianas rivers, in tropical South America. They are sometimes referred to in English by their Brazilian name, tucunaré, or Spanish name, pavon. Despite the common name and their superficial similarity, they are not closely related to the black bass family members, such as the North American largemouth bass.

Identifying Peacock Bass

A prominent characteristic of this species is that they are generally light to dark yellow in body color with a bright orange color on their fins. Vertical black bars formulate lines on both sides of the fish. The underbelly generally is light or almost white. Peacock bass, like the largemouth bass upper jaw, also reaches far beyond the rear margin and is hinged.

Appearance

Body shape similar to that of largemouth bass; color highly variable, but generally golden with three black vertical bars that tend to fade and are possibly absent in older fish; black spot with a yellow-gold halo on the caudal fin.

Range

The native range lies within the Amazon River basin of South America.

Habitat

Successful in warm, slow-flowing canals, ponds, lakes, deep rock pits, and lateral canals; frequently found in shady areas around bridges, culverts, canal intersections, bends, dead ends, and near fallen trees; spawns and often feeds in shallow water adjacent shorelines with overhanging vegetation; cannot tolerate water temperatures below 60°F or salinities greater than 18 ppt.

Behavior

Spawning Habits: Typically spawn from April through September with a peak in May and June; both adults prepare a flat, hard surface near shore, then lay between 4,000 and 10,000 eggs; young are guarded by both parents, sometimes for several months; males commonly develop a ‘nucchal’ hump on foreheads when reproductively active.

Feeding Habits: Feed almost exclusively on fish; tend to use great speed to capture prey; typically feeds only during daylight hours; this fish has helped reduce the number of undesirable exotic fishes, especially the spotted tilapia.

Age and Growth

Grow rapidly to 12-14 inches during the first 16-18 months, after which they become much heavier with each inch they add in length. A 17-inch fish will weigh approximately three pounds while a 19-inch fish will weigh up to five pounds. It is not known how long they live, but preliminary data suggests about six years.

(Credit: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and BassOnline.com)