Peacock Bass vs Zebra Danio
Cichla temensis compared with Danio rerio
Taxonomy & Classification
| Attribute | Peacock Bass | Zebra Danio |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Cichla temensis | Danio rerio |
| Order | Cichliformes | Cypriniformes |
| Family | Cichlidae | Danionidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Physical Traits
| Attribute | Peacock Bass | Zebra Danio |
|---|---|---|
| Max Length | 100.0 cm | 5.0 cm |
| Max Weight | 12.7 kg | 0.001 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. | Silver to pale gold body with five continuous horizontal royal-blue stripes running from gill to tail tip, including through the fins; belly silvery-white; fins clear with blue-gold striping. |
Habitat & Environment
| Attribute | Peacock Bass | Zebra Danio |
|---|---|---|
| Water Type | Freshwater | Freshwater |
| Depth Range | — | — |
| 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 Ganges and Brahmaputra river basins of Bangladesh, India, Nepal, and Myanmar. Inhabits fast-flowing hill streams, rice paddies, and shallow ponds across the … |
| 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 … | Fast-flowing, clear mountain streams of the Ganges-Brahmaputra region, India and Bangladesh. Clean, well-oxygenated, shallow water with sandy and gravelly substrate (18-26°C). Lab model organism. |
Aquarium Suitability
| Attribute | Peacock Bass | Zebra Danio |
|---|---|---|
| Min Tank Size | — | 40 L |
| Temperature | — | 18-24 |
| pH Range | — | 6.0-8.0 |
| Care Level | — | Easy |
| Temperament | — | Peaceful |
Fishing Information
| Attribute | Peacock Bass | Zebra Danio |
|---|---|---|
| Game Fish | Yes | No |
| Fight Rating | 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.
Zebra Danio
Not consumed — a hardy ornamental aquarium fish notable for its horizontal blue-silver stripes and active schooling behavior; also a widely used laboratory model organism.
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.
Zebra Danio
The zebrafish is a small cyprinid native to South Asia's freshwater streams. Its distinctive blue-and-gold horizontal stripes and hardy nature make it a popular aquarium fish. It is also the most widely used vertebrate model organism in genetic research.