Peacock bass: Difference between revisions
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The '''peacock bass''', ''Cichla orinocensis'', also commonly known as the '''peacock cichlid''' and '''tucunaré''' (too-coon-a-ray) in Brazil, is a tropical, freshwater fish native to the [[Amazon River]] basin of [[South America]] (where it is known in [[Spanish]] as the "pavon"), and exists as a non-native species in [[Singapore]], [[Peninsular Malaysia]] and the [[United States]] (specifically [[Florida]] and [[Hawaii]]). |
The '''peacock bass''', ''Cichla orinocensis'', also commonly known as the '''peacock cichlid''' and '''tucunaré''' (too-coon-a-ray) in Brazil, is a tropical, freshwater fish native to the [[Amazon River]] basin of [[South America]] (where it is known in [[Spanish]] as the "pavon"), and exists as a non-native species in [[Singapore]], [[Peninsular Malaysia]] and the [[United States]] (specifically [[Florida]] and [[Hawaii]]). |
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| ⚫ | As a member of the [[Cichlidae]] family, it can grow up to 62 cm in length and can be identified by three verticle stripes on its body, as well as what resembles peacock eyes on the adult's tail fin, a feature which gave it its common name. This species of cichla tends to turn a bright green when in adulthood. The males have a pronounced hump or bump on their foreheads once they reach adulthood, a feature common among cichlids. |
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| ⚫ | [[Florida]] wildlife officials deliberately introduced two sub-species of peacock bass to southern [[Florida]] in 1984: these are the butterfly peacock bass (''Cichla ocellaris'') and speckled peacock bass (''Cichla temensis'') where they prey on other non-native invasive fish such as the oscar [[spotted tilapia]] |
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The peacock bass is prized as an angling game fish for its fighting qualities |
The peacock bass is prized as an angling game fish for its fighting qualities. Expert peacock bass fisherman [[Larry Larsen]] refers to it as a “freshwater bully” due to its ferocious nature when hunting and its tendency to damage fishing lures when striking. (Larsen is a four-time world record holder for catching peacock bass). Despite these advantages, peacock bass have been identified as a potential cause for ecological imbalance in some of its introduced areas. |
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Although its eating quality is good, most professional American anglers recommend practicing catch and release for this species to protect its numbers in the United States. |
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==American Introduction== |
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| ⚫ | As a member of the [[Cichlidae]] family, it can grow up to 62 cm in length and can be identified by three |
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| ⚫ | [[Florida]] wildlife officials deliberately introduced two sub-species of peacock bass to southern [[Florida]] in 1984: these are the butterfly peacock bass (''Cichla ocellaris'') and speckled peacock bass (''Cichla temensis'') where they prey on other non-native, invasive fish such as the [[oscar]] and the [[spotted tilapia]]. Also, its introduction now provides additional sports fishing opportunities for local anglers. However, because of its tropical origins, peacock bass cannot tolerate low water temperatures. This factor has prevented this species from becoming abundant outside of [[Miami-Dade]] and [[Broward]] counties within the state of [[Florida]]. |
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Peacock bass have also been introduced into Hawaii. |
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==In the aquarium== |
==In the aquarium== |
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As aquarium fish they are voracious and predatory, eating any smaller tank mates |
As aquarium fish they are voracious and predatory, eating any smaller tank mates and may pick on others of equivalent size. They require live food as juveniles but later in their development will accept meaty, dry or frozen foods. |
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Most species of peacock bass grow to a length of two feet but the |
Most species of peacock bass grow to a length of two feet but the Cichla temensis may grow as large as three feet. For this reason, adult peacocks need very large tanks (they must hold at least 240 gallons), however larger tanks are better. |
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Revision as of 21:40, 16 January 2007
| Peacock bass | |
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| Scientific classification | |
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| Species: | C. orinocensis
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| Binomial name | |
| Cichla orinocensis | |
The peacock bass, Cichla orinocensis, also commonly known as the peacock cichlid and tucunaré (too-coon-a-ray) in Brazil, is a tropical, freshwater fish native to the Amazon River basin of South America (where it is known in Spanish as the "pavon"), and exists as a non-native species in Singapore, Peninsular Malaysia and the United States (specifically Florida and Hawaii).
As a member of the Cichlidae family, it can grow up to 62 cm in length and can be identified by three verticle stripes on its body, as well as what resembles peacock eyes on the adult's tail fin, a feature which gave it its common name. This species of cichla tends to turn a bright green when in adulthood. The males have a pronounced hump or bump on their foreheads once they reach adulthood, a feature common among cichlids.
The peacock bass is prized as an angling game fish for its fighting qualities. Expert peacock bass fisherman Larry Larsen refers to it as a “freshwater bully” due to its ferocious nature when hunting and its tendency to damage fishing lures when striking. (Larsen is a four-time world record holder for catching peacock bass). Despite these advantages, peacock bass have been identified as a potential cause for ecological imbalance in some of its introduced areas.
Although its eating quality is good, most professional American anglers recommend practicing catch and release for this species to protect its numbers in the United States.
American Introduction
Florida wildlife officials deliberately introduced two sub-species of peacock bass to southern Florida in 1984: these are the butterfly peacock bass (Cichla ocellaris) and speckled peacock bass (Cichla temensis) where they prey on other non-native, invasive fish such as the oscar and the spotted tilapia. Also, its introduction now provides additional sports fishing opportunities for local anglers. However, because of its tropical origins, peacock bass cannot tolerate low water temperatures. This factor has prevented this species from becoming abundant outside of Miami-Dade and Broward counties within the state of Florida.
Peacock bass have also been introduced into Hawaii.
In the aquarium
As aquarium fish they are voracious and predatory, eating any smaller tank mates and may pick on others of equivalent size. They require live food as juveniles but later in their development will accept meaty, dry or frozen foods.
Most species of peacock bass grow to a length of two feet but the Cichla temensis may grow as large as three feet. For this reason, adult peacocks need very large tanks (they must hold at least 240 gallons), however larger tanks are better.
Links and References
- Florida Peacock Bass Fishing
- FishBase.org, Peacock Bass
- FloridaFisheries.com Peacock Bass
- "Cichla orinocensis". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. 30 January.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=and|year=/|date=mismatch (help) - Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.). "Cichla orinocensis". FishBase. October 2005 version.
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