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Peacock CichlidPeacock Bass ~ Eye Spot CichlidFamily: Cichlidae |
An eye catching show fish for a very large aquarium, the Peacock Cichlid can reach up to 29" (74 cm). It is also called the Peacock Bass or Eye Spot Cichlid because of its colorful tail fin. It has an ocellus or 'eye spot' that is reminiscent of a beautiful peacock on that fin, along with a body shape that resembles the popular bass fish. Aquarists who want a fish that grows over two feet long with all the personality of a typical cichlid will love this fish, but it will need to be provided with a huge tank. Just like cichlids of smaller sizes, when they see you come into a room they recognize you. They will splash at the surface of the water to get your attention. This cichlid is sort of like owning a small dolphin!
They are moderately difficult to care for as they need to be housed in a very large aquarium, a minimum of 70 gallons. They appreciate a bottom of sand or gravel with some rocks and wood for cover along with some flat stones for spawning. They don't bother plants, so these can be provided around the inside parameter of the tank leaving plenty of open space for swimming. They are quite adaptable and don't require any special water chemistry, though they are sensitive to ammonia and nitrites and will need regular water changes.
Because of their size, only juvenile specimens of the Peacock Cichlid are really suitable for the aquarium. They are also territorial and voracious predators, eating anything that fits in their mouth. In the wild they are rapid swimmers but in the aquaria they are more sedate, often lying motionless waiting for prey. Because of their size and temperament they do best in a species tank or with other large South American cichlids.
The Peacock Cichlid is primarily known as a gaming fish. For this purpose they were legally introduced into modified canals and lakes in southern Florida, United States. One positive effect of their introduction has been an increase of both the Largemouth Bass and Redear Sunfish, which are also desirable gaming fish. Because of their inability to tolerate cold temperatures they are confined to the southern part of those canals. They are unable to expand their range, so the fauna of the Florida Everglades has not been altered to the point of being at risk. However they were also introduced into Lake Gutan in Panama which produced undesirable results, drastically changing the composition of fish populations in that canal. Do not release this or any other fish into a non-native environment as the consequences can be devastating.
For more Information on keeping this fish see:
Guide to a Happy, Healthy Freshwater Aquarium
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Distribution: The Peacock Cichlid, also called the Peacock Bass, Butterfly Peacock Bass, or Eye Spot Cichlid, was described by Block and Scneider in 1801. They are found in South America in almost all the large waterways of Venezuela, Guyana, Brazil, Peru, and Bolivia; from the Marowijne drainage, Suriname and French Guiana all the way to the Essequibo drainage in Guyana. They live in large bodies of water where they feed on small fish, especially threadfin shad, mosquito fish, tilapia and bluegill.
These fish are also raised in ponds as a food fish. They have been introduced (non-native) into waters of Florida and Hawaii in the United States, Guam, the Virgin Islands, Malaysia, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Panama, Puerto Rico, and Singapore. Their legal introduction as a gaming fish into modified canals and lakes in southern Florida has been quite beneficial, increasing the numbers of the Largemouth Bass and Redear Sunfish for gaming. However their introduction into Lake Gutan in Panama produced undesirable results, drastically changing the composition of fish populations in that canal.
Status: This species is not listed on the IUCN Red List.
Description: The Peacock Cichlid has an elongated deep body. Their notable characteristics are a large black spot on their caudal fin, an ocellus , that is outlined by a silver 'halo', and a centrally notched dorsal fin. Their lower jaw projects out further than their top jaw and their mouth is huge. Older mature males will develop a nuchal hump on their forehead.
The body is olive-green on the back, fading into a yellowish white color as it comes to the belly. There are three dark bars on their sides with dark spots in-between. The second part of the dorsal has white spots, and those spots are also found on the top part of the tail fin. Their anal, pelvic, and the lower part of their tail fin are red and the rest of their fins are gray or black. Mature adults can have a yellow-orange stripe that runs from their mouth to their tail fin. That along with a blood red iris to contrast makes for an attractive fish. It is unknown how long this fish lives.
All cichlids share a common feature that some saltwater fish such as wrasses and parrotfish have and that is a well-developed pharyngeal set of teeth that are in the throat, along with their regular teeth. Cichlids have spiny rays in the back parts of the anal, dorsal, pectoral, and pelvic fins to help discourage predators. The front part of these fins are soft and perfect for precise positions and effortless movements in the water as opposed to fast swimming.
Cichlids have one nostril on each side while other fish have 2 sets. To sense "smells" in the water, they suck water in and expel the water right back out after being "sampled" for a short or longer time, depending on how much the cichlid needs to "smell" the water. This feature is shared by saltwater damselfish and cichlids are thought to be closely related.
Size - Weight: The Peacock Bass grows to a length of 29" (77 cm).
Care and feeding: The Peacock Cichlid is a carnivore, a piscivore in the wild that feeds on other smaller fish. They are a pronounced predator and unless captive bred, they first must be fed live fish. Once tamed they may slowly be trained to eat cut fish, other meaty foods, and many prepared and frozen foods. They get quite large so they should be fed a high quality pelleted food and large chunk foods such as cut up fish, crayfish, and earthworms. They may also accept such foods as bloodworms, tubifex, and ocean plankton. Feeding in smaller amounts several times a day instead of a large quantity once a day will help keep the water quality higher over a longer time. All fish benefit from vitamins and supplements added to their foods.
These fish need a lot of room, a minimum of 70 gallons for a juvenile, though over 100 gallons is preferable. Adults will require at least 240 gallons with larger being better. They do fine with moderate water movement and strong efficient filtration. They appreciate a bottom of sand or gravel with some rocks and wood for cover along with some flat stones for spawning. They don't bother plants, so these can be provided around the inside parameter of the tank leaving plenty of open space for swimming.
They are quite adaptable and don't require any special water chemistry, though they are sensitive to ammonia and nitrites. Being messy feeders they will quickly pollute the tank. Do water changes of 30 - 50% biweekly or weekly, depending on the size of the fish and tank.
They are subject to infections as well as other diseases that ail all freshwater fish. One common problem is Ich. It can be treated with the elevation of the tank temperature to 86° F (30° C) for 3 days. If that does not cure the Ich, then the fish needs to be treated with copper (remove any water conditioners). Several copper based fish medications are available for Ich. Copper use must be kept within the proper levels, so be sure to follow the manufacturers suggestions. A copper test can be used to keep the proper levels. You can also combine increasing the temperature with an Ich medication treatment. Intestinal disease can be treated with metronidazol.
Water Region: Top, Middle, Bottom: These fish will swim in all areas of the aquarium.
Acceptable Water Conditions: Hardness: 5 - 12° dH
Ph: 6.5 - 7.5
Temp: 75 - 82° F (24 - 28° C)
Social Behaviors: The Peacock Cichlid is voracious predator and will eat anything that fits in its mouth, a species specific tank is recommended. They can be kept singly or as a pair. Like a typical cichlid, they probably would not tolerate another male. In very large tanks or public aquariums they can be kept with other large South American cichlids, large plecostomus, and other large scavenger fish.
Sexual Differences: An older mature male will have a nuchal hump on the forehead, but otherwise the sexes are only discernable during spawning.
Breeding/Reproduction: The Peacock Cichlid has been bred in captivity and is raised in ponds as a food fish. They are what is known as a biparental substrate spawner. Being too large, there are no reports yet on successful tank breeding, but they will spawn in an outdoor pond. They will generally lay 2000-3000 eggs, with larger spawners laying over 10,000. They lay the eggs on a large flat stone in shallow water and the parents will adamantly guard them in the typical cichlid fashion. They are highly territorial and aggressive when guarding first their eggs, and then the fry for another nine weeks. The fry will hatch in 78 hours at 82° F (28° C). When they are ready to move on, they enter into open waters. The fry love mosquito larvae (blood worms) and will mature in less than 12 months. See more about cichlid breeding in: Breeding Freshwater Fish.
Availability: The Peacock Cichlid (also called the Peacock Bass, Butterfly Peacock Bass, or Eye Spot Cichlid) is sometimes available in fish stores and is generally found online. They will run about $20.00 USD for juveniles.
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