TankBud

Blue peacock bass

Cichla piquiti

Also known as Piquiti peacock bass, Azul peacock bass

FreshwaterFish

Blue peacock bass (Cichla piquiti)
(c) R Vasconcellos, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by

Care at a glance

Temperature
77–86°F
25–30°C
pH
6.0–7.5
Adult size
18.9 in
48 cm
Minimum tank
396 gal
1,500 L
Temperament
Aggressive
Social behavior
Solitary
Tankmates
With caution
Swim level
Middle
Diet
Carnivore
Difficulty
Difficult
Breeding
Substrate spawner · Hard
Rarity
Common
Family
Cichlidae
Origin
Tocantins and Araguaia basins, Brazil

Overview

The blue peacock bass is a peacock bass in cooler colors, with the same enormous commitment as the rest of the genus. It is only for experienced keepers, and it is not a community animal.

Did you know

The species name piquiti is what the fish is called on the Tocantins River. That local name came first, before the trade started calling it blue.

Caring for the blue peacock bass

A blue peacock bass needs a tank measured in thousands of liters, at least 396 gal (1,500 L). Give it a very long swimming run, with heavy filtration to match the feeding load.

Keep it at 77 to 86°F (25 to 30°C) with a pH of 6.0 to 7.5. Feed prepared and frozen meaty foods on a schedule, and never live fish.

It is aggressive and hunts by pursuit. Keep a single fish, with only tank mates it cannot swallow. It is a substrate spawner with care from both parents, and breeding it is hard.

Good to know

Cichla piquiti is marked with dark vertical bars over a steel-blue body, rather than the gold and green of most peacock bass. Introduced populations outside its native basins have caused serious damage to local fish communities.

In the wild

Cichla piquiti lives in the Tocantins and Araguaia basins of Brazil. It holds in warm open water along river channels and reservoirs.

Common questions

What size tank does a blue peacock bass need?

A blue peacock bass needs at least 396 gal (1,500 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.

What temperature and pH does a blue peacock bass need?

A blue peacock bass is comfortable at 77–86°F (25–30°C) with a pH of 6.0–7.5.

What does a blue peacock bass eat?

A blue peacock bass eats prepared and frozen meaty foods, fed on a schedule. Never feed it live fish.

How big does a blue peacock bass get?

An adult blue peacock bass reaches about 18.9 in (48 cm).

How does a blue peacock bass breed?

The blue peacock bass is a substrate spawner, and both parents care for the young. Breeding it is hard.

Related species