Overview
Adult Speckled Peacocks are distinguished by blotches on the opercula and three vertical black bars on the body which become more pronounced with age. Another color phase may have 4-6 horizontal rows of light colored dashes along the sides and speckling over the rest of the body and fins. The above description may be confusing, but it combines what was thought to be two different species until 1981. This is the only Cichla spp. which has broken longitudinal lines and spots on the head, opercula and in caudal/dorsal fins, resulting in a speckled appearance.
Taxonomy
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Actinopterygii
- Order
- Cypriniformes
- Family
- Cichlidae
- Genus
- Cichla
- Species
- temensis
Habitat
Speckled peacock bass primarily inhabit large rivers, lakes, and reservoirs in the Amazon and Orinoco River basins of South America. They prefer warm, freshwater environments with structures like submerged logs, rocks, and vegetation for cover. These fish thrive in areas with moderate currents and varying depths, often avoiding fast-flowing waters.
Diet
Speckled peacock bass are carnivorous and mainly feed on smaller fish such as tetras and characins, along with crustaceans and insects. They exhibit ambush predation, hiding near structures and striking quickly at prey. Feeding is most active during dawn and dusk when visibility is low.
Behavior
Speckled peacock bass are solitary and highly territorial, particularly during spawning when they aggressively defend nesting sites. They are diurnal, most active during the day, and known for their explosive strikes and acrobatic jumps when pursuing prey or evading threats. These fish often patrol specific areas in rivers or lakes, using cover to ambush food.
Fishing
An excellent game fish, they can be caught on spin, bait-casting, or fly rods. Their pound-for-pound power is brutal, even when matched to heavy tackle. They will strike plugs, spoons, spinners, streamer flies and popping bugs. Their top water strikes are stunning in ferocity and they make spectacular jumps and strong runs. The larger they get, the more fiercely they fight. Considering they can grow to more than 30 pounds, be prepared for a battle when you hook into a speckled peacock! An excellent food fish, the flesh of the speckled peacock is firm in texture and varies from white to a creamy white in color.
Conservation Status
Listed as Not Evaluated by IUCN.