Peacock Bass vs Wels Catfish
Cichla temensis compared with Silurus glanis
Taxonomy & Classification
| Attribute | Peacock Bass | Wels Catfish |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Cichla temensis | Silurus glanis |
| Order | Cichliformes | Siluriformes |
| Family | Cichlidae | Siluridae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Physical Traits
| Attribute | Peacock Bass | Wels Catfish |
|---|---|---|
| Max Length | 100.0 cm | 500.0 cm |
| Max Weight | 12.7 kg | 300.0 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. | Dark olive-green to slate-gray back with irregular mottled marbling of darker blotches; flanks grade to olive-yellow; scaleless smooth skin; belly pale cream to yellowish-white; head broad and flat. |
Habitat & Environment
| Attribute | Peacock Bass | Wels Catfish |
|---|---|---|
| Water Type | Freshwater | Brackish |
| Depth Range | — | 0-30m |
| 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 large river systems and lakes of central and eastern Europe from the Rhine basin east to the Caspian and Aral sea drainages. Introduced … |
| 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 … | Large rivers, lakes, and reservoirs across Europe and Asia (Volga, Danube, Rhine, Ob). Inhabits deep, slow-moving freshwater with soft substrates. Tolerates turbid water (15-25°C). Highly … |
Fishing Information
| Attribute | Peacock Bass | Wels Catfish |
|---|---|---|
| Game Fish | Yes | Yes |
| Fight Rating | 9/10 | 9/10 |
| 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.
Wels Catfish
Fatty, soft flesh with a mild, slightly sweet flavor; quality improves from cold, clean water fish. Popular in Central European cuisines — commonly smoked, fried, or braised with vegetables.
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.
Wels Catfish
The wels catfish is the largest freshwater fish in Europe, capable of exceeding 5 meters. Found in large rivers and lakes across the continent, it has been documented beaching itself to catch pigeons. It can live over 80 years.