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Speckled peacock bass (Cichla temensis) — Cichlidae

Speckled peacock bass

Cichla temensis
Family: Cichlidae
NativeIntroduced

The Speckled peacock bass (Cichla temensis) is a freshwater fish of the family Cichlidae that grows up to 99 cm.

Length
99 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Carnivore
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
South America: Brazil, Colombia, Guyana, Venezuela
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The speckled peacock bass is a large cichlid from the Amazon and Orinoco basins of South America. The species grows to about 1 metre and has an elongate, yellow-green body with rows of pale spots and dark bars and a conspicuous eyespot on the tail. As a powerful open-water predator it hunts fish in rivers and lakes. It is a celebrated sport fish. It guards its brood. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Speckled peacock bass?

The Speckled peacock bass has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly green and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Speckled peacock bass live?

The Speckled peacock bass lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom. South America: Brazil, Colombia, Guyana, Venezuela

How big does the Speckled peacock bass get?

The Speckled peacock bass grows to a maximum of about 99 cm.

Is the Speckled peacock bass dangerous to humans?

No, the Speckled peacock bass is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

Is the Speckled peacock bass edible?

Yes, the Speckled peacock bass is commonly eaten.

More photos

Speckled peacock bass (Cichla temensis) — Cichlidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) IPBio - Reserva Jutuarana, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Speckled peacock bass (Cichla temensis) — Cichlidae — 3
Wikimedia Commons — Clinton & Charles Robertson from RAF Lakenheath, UK & San Marcos, TX, USA & UK (CC BY 2.0)
Speckled peacock bass (Cichla temensis) — Cichlidae — 4
ilan_ (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF — iNaturalist
Speckled peacock bass (Cichla temensis) — Cichlidae — 5
ilan_ (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF — iNaturalist
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Speckled peacock bass sourced
Scientific name
Cichla temensis
Family
Cichlidae
Other names
Royal pavon; Speckled pavon; Striped tucunare; Painted pavon; Tucunare pinema verified

Appearance

Size class
Extra large verified
Max length (cm)
99.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Green sourced
Pattern
Spots sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Natural range
South America: Brazil, Colombia, Guyana, Venezuela sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore inferred
Diet (detail)
Small fishes, crustaceans and invertebrates inferred
Territorial
Yes inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
Yes inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten inferred
Fishing method
Bottom fishing with natural bait (worm, shrimp or fish) on or just above the seabed. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Cichla

More from the family Cichlidae

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