Peacock Bass

Q: Can you eat 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.

Q: How big does Peacock Bass get?

Peacock Bass can grow up to 100.0 cm long and weigh 12.7 kg.

Q: Where is Peacock Bass found?

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 tropical river channels. 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 (2

Q: Is Peacock Bass endangered?

The conservation status of Peacock Bass is Least Concern according to the IUCN Red List.

Q: What family does Peacock Bass belong to?

Peacock Bass (Cichla temensis) belongs to the family Cichlidae (Cichlids) in the order Cichliformes (Cichlids and allies).

Abstract

A large cichlid rather than a true bass, the peacock bass ranks among the most sought-after sport fish of the Amazon. Golden to olive-green with three bold dark bars and a gold-ringed black eyespot at the tail, it reaches a metre in blackwater rivers, flooded forests, and lagoons of Venezuela, Colombia, and Brazil. It is famed for explosive topwater strikes and drag-screaming runs that test heavy tackle. Its firm, clean, low-fat white flesh is a valued table fish throughout Amazonian cooking, grilled or pan-fried with citrus. Breeding males develop a pronounced nuchal hump, and the species is assessed as Least Concern.