PEACOCK, SPECKLED

P, S -

PEACOCK, SPECKLED

Scientific Name: 
Cichla temensis
Salt/Fresh: 
Fresh
Also Known As: 
Pavon cinchado; Pavon Pintado; Pavon Trucha, Tucunare; Pavon Venado; SPECKLED PEACOCK; Three-barred Peacock; Tecunare Acu; Tucunare Paca
Rating: 
Countries: 
Other Countries
Description: 

Spreckled Peacock is the largest member of the peacock bass genus. This top level predator is considered by many to be the most powerful freshwater gamefish in the world, as evidenced by its current IGFA record of 27 pounds.

How To Identify: 

The Speckled Peacock have dark blotches on the opercula and three distinctive vertical bars on the body that may become more pronounced with age. There are light and faint spots on the dorsal and caudal fins and a hump on top of the head of breeding males.  And of course, there is the characteristic black circular eye spot that is rimmed in gold and located on caudal fin, which is shared by all bass. This spot closely resembles the tail plume of a peacock fowl.

The Speckled Peacock is the largest of the peacock/pavon species as it can grow up to a three feet, four inches in length. It is slightly elongate with a large head, and it looks more like a bass than the other peacock subspecies.

There is some orange on the tail under the eye spot but the rest of the Speckled Peacock bass is dark to yellow down the side and white on the underside of the fish. It has three dark vertical bars and a series of horizontal rows of cream, coloured spots and during spawning, the males acquire nuchal hump during spawning.

How To Catch: 

An excellent game fish, the Speckled Peacock can be caught on spin, bait-casting or fly tackle. 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.

Where Found: 

Internationally

It is native to the basins of the Rio Negro, Uatumã and Orinoco in northern South America. Introduction attempts have been made outside its native range, but it has not managed to become established in Florida or Texas. It has been known to flourish in tropical climates like Singapore.

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