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Orinoco peacock bass

Cichla orinocensis

Also known as Butterfly peacock bass orinocensis

FreshwaterFish

Orinoco peacock bass (Cichla orinocensis)

Care at a glance

Temperature
77–86°F
25–30°C
pH
5.0–6.8
Adult size
24.4 in
62 cm
Minimum tank
528 gal
2,000 L
Temperament
Aggressive
Social behavior
Solitary
Tankmates
With caution
Swim level
Middle
Diet
Carnivore
Difficulty
Difficult
Breeding
Substrate spawner · Hard
Rarity
Rare
Family
Cichlidae
Origin
Orinoco and Negro basins

Overview

The Orinoco peacock bass is a demanding predator that dwarfs almost any home aquarium. Keeping one is a long-term commitment for experienced keepers.

Did you know

The Orinoco peacock bass was described by Alexander von Humboldt in 1821, while he explored the Orinoco by canoe. That makes its scientific description older than most of the modern nations whose anglers now prize it as a sport fish.

Caring for the Orinoco peacock bass

A single Orinoco peacock bass needs at least 528 gal (2,000 L), which is really an indoor pond or public aquarium job. Give it a large open swimming area over sand, with big pieces of submerged wood for structure.

Keep the water soft and acidic, at 77 to 86°F (25 to 30°C) and a pH of 5.0 to 6.8. A predator this size and this active needs clean, well-moving water, so run strong filtration and current.

Feed meaty foods such as whole fish, prawn and large pellets. It is aggressive and best kept alone. It patrols the open middle water and will eat any tank mate it can swallow. Any companions must be very large and fast, and chosen with great care.

It is a biparental substrate spawner that guards its fry. Its size makes it a hard fish to breed indoors.

Good to know

Cichla orinocensis belongs to the cichlid family, Cichlidae. It is set apart from other peacock bass by three separate round eyespots spaced along the flank, rather than a continuous dark band.

In the wild

The Orinoco peacock bass comes from the Orinoco and Negro basins, where it hunts in warm blackwater lagoons and channels. Its natural water is soft and acidic.

Common questions

What size tank does an Orinoco peacock bass need?

An Orinoco peacock bass needs at least 528 gal (2,000 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.

What temperature and pH does an Orinoco peacock bass need?

An Orinoco peacock bass is comfortable at 77–86°F (25–30°C) with a pH of 5.0–6.8.

What does an Orinoco peacock bass eat?

An Orinoco peacock bass eats meaty foods, such as whole fish, prawn and large pellets.

How big does an Orinoco peacock bass get?

An adult Orinoco peacock bass reaches about 24.4 in (62 cm).

How does an Orinoco peacock bass breed?

The Orinoco peacock bass is a biparental substrate spawner, and the parents guard the fry. Its size makes breeding it indoors hard.

Related species