The reasons why there are so many species of peacock bass no doubt stems from a combination of the sheer size of the Amazon River Basin, and the specialist nature of cichlid fishes. The situation is in a state of flux and fish taxonomy experts are predicting that perhaps there may be between 20 and 30 species in the group, although there is some genetic evidence of hybridization which makes it difficult to predict the final number. Only in the past 10 years have several more species been described, with 15 species of peacock bass now recognised being differentiated by colour patterns, fin ray and scale counts and the localities where they occur. As early explorers penetrated deeper into the Amazon other species followed, but until 2006 there were only 6 species of Cichla recognised by the scientific community. This species is the worlds largest cichlid, growing to 90+ cm and over 12 kg. The second species to be described in 1821 was the three bar or giant peacock bass Cichla temensis. The latter is thought to potentially confuse predators by mimic the eye, thus leading would be attackers to question whether their prey was coming or going. This is a relatively small species, growing to around 7 kg, but it possessed the distinctive body shape and ocellated colouration characteristic of the group, including the distinctive caudal ocellus (or “peacock spot”) on the tail. The first species of the group, the butterfly peacock, was described as Cichla ocellaris way back in 1801. Their explosively violent surface strikes are usually followed by strong runs and energetic jumps, behaviour that has lead many anglers to consider peacock bass as being one of the worlds most exciting freshwater sportfish.įor such an immensely popular sportfish and important food fish for those living in the Amazon basin, it’s surprising that the scientific community had little to do with peacock basses until quite recently. Unlike most other cichlids, they are top level piscivorous predators with a unique feeding method – think a mixture of the ambush rush of a PNG black bass followed by the “suction feeding” boof of a barra. Peacock bass are the largest of the cichlids, with some species growing to nearly a meter long. However, unlike the thousands of species of their close relatives the cichlids, angelfish, oscars, discus and tilapias of aquarium fame, peacock bass are desirable sportfish for several reasons. This group of tropical South American freshwater fishes are actually not bass at all, but are instead members of the Family Cichlidae. FOR sportfishers everywhere, and freshwater addicts in particular, peacock bass are one of those “bucket list” species that keen anglers dream of.
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