Peacock Bass vs Smallmouth Bass
Cichla temensis compared with Micropterus dolomieu
Taxonomy & Classification
| Attribute | Peacock Bass | Smallmouth Bass |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Cichla temensis | Micropterus dolomieu |
| Order | Cichliformes | Centrarchiformes |
| Family | Cichlidae | Centrarchidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Physical Traits
| Attribute | Peacock Bass | Smallmouth Bass |
|---|---|---|
| Max Length | 100.0 cm | 69.0 cm |
| Max Weight | 12.7 kg | 5.4 kg |
| Color | Golden-yellow to olive-green body with three bold dark vertical bars on the flanks; a striking black ocellus edged in gold at the tail base; breeding males develop a prominent nuchal hump. | Bronze-green to golden-brown body with 13–15 irregular dark brown vertical bars or blotches on the flanks; red-orange eyes; belly pale cream; dark brown radiating lines from eye to snout. |
Habitat & Environment
| Attribute | Peacock Bass | Smallmouth Bass |
|---|---|---|
| Water Type | Freshwater | Freshwater |
| Depth Range | — | 1-7m |
| Geographic Range | Native to the Amazon River basin and Orinoco River system in South America, including Venezuela, Colombia, and Brazil. Inhabits blackwater rivers, flooded forests, and large … | Native to the St. Lawrence River and Great Lakes drainage south through the Ohio River system and upper Mississippi basin. Prefers clear, cool, rocky streams … |
| Habitat | Native to Southeast Asian rivers including the Mekong basin. Warm, slow-moving freshwater with soft substrates. Introduced to tropical aquaculture systems globally. Tolerates wide temperature range … | Clear, cool rivers and streams of eastern North America from the Great Lakes to Tennessee. Prefers rocky and gravelly substrate in moderate to fast current. … |
Fishing Information
| Attribute | Peacock Bass | Smallmouth Bass |
|---|---|---|
| Game Fish | Yes | Yes |
| Fight Rating | 9/10 | 8/10 |
| World Record | — | — |
| Mercury Level | — | — |
Cuisine & Edibility
Peacock Bass
Firm, white flesh with a clean, mild flavor and low fat content. Prized table fish throughout Amazonian cuisines; excellent grilled, pan-fried, or steamed with citrus.
Smallmouth Bass
Clean, white, mildly flavored flesh with low fat; considered slightly firmer and more flavorful than largemouth bass. Excellent pan-fried or baked; a respected table fish in the Great Lakes region.
Species Overview
Peacock Bass
The peacock bass is the crown jewel of Amazon basin sport fishing. Despite its name, it is actually a large cichlid. Known for explosive topwater strikes and powerful, drag-screaming runs in tropical rivers and lagoons.
Smallmouth Bass
The smallmouth bass is widely considered the best-fighting freshwater fish pound-for-pound. Found in clear, rocky streams and lakes, it is more athletic and acrobatic than its larger cousin, the largemouth bass.