Xingu peacock bass
Cichla melaniae
Also known as Melaniae peacock bass
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 77–86°F (25–30°C)
- pH
- 6.0–7.5
- Adult size
- 14.2 in (36 cm)
- Minimum tank
- 317 gal (1,200 L)
- Temperament
- Aggressive
- Social behavior
- Solitary
- Tankmates
- Tankmates with caution
- Swim level
- Middle
- Difficulty
- Difficult
- Breeding
- Hard
- Rarity
- Rare
- Origin
- Rio Xingu, Brazil
- Family
- Cichlidae
Overview
The Xingu peacock bass is a river predator and one of the smaller peacock bass, but still a large, aggressive fish best kept alone or only with big, fast tankmates that cannot be swallowed. It cruises open midwater, hunting by sight, and will eat any fish that fits in its mouth. Tankmates need care: only robust species its own size, and even then watch for territorial spats. Feed meaty foods such as whole frozen fish, large pellets, and prawns, and vary the diet. This is a demanding fish that needs a very large tank of around 1200 liters or more with strong flow and pristine water.
In the wild
This species is found only in the lower Rio Xingu in Brazil, a clear, fast river of rapids and channels. A tank for it must be big, warm, and moving: temperatures around 25 to 30 C, a pH of roughly 6.0 to 7.5, strong current from a large filter or circulation pumps, and high oxygen. Use open swimming space with a few large rocks or wood as landmarks rather than clutter. Spotless water and steady flow keep this rapids fish in good shape.
Good to know
Cichla melaniae is a peacock bass in the family Cichlidae, described by Kullander and Ferreira in 2006 and reaching about 36 centimeters, small for the genus. Adults are yellow-gold marked with dark spotting and short bars. Like other peacock bass it is a substrate spawner that guards its young, but its size, aggression, and appetite make it hard to breed in home aquaria. It is endemic to a single river system.
Did you know
It lives only in the rapids of the lower Xingu, the same stretch of river reshaped by the huge Belo Monte hydroelectric dam, so this rapids specialist now shares its home with turbines and reservoirs.
Common questions
What size tank does a Xingu peacock bass need?
A Xingu peacock bass needs at least 317 gal (1,200 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.
What temperature and pH do Xingu peacock bass need?
Xingu peacock bass are comfortable at 77–86°F (25–30°C) with a pH of 6.0–7.5.
How big do Xingu peacock bass get?
An adult Xingu peacock bass reaches about 14.2 in (36 cm).
Where to buy
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Related species
Blue peacock bass
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Kelberi peacock bass
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Cichla orinocensisFreshwater24.4 in (62 cm)528 gal (2,000 L)77–86°F (25–30°C)Monoculus peacock bass
Cichla monoculusFreshwater27.6 in (70 cm)528 gal (2,000 L)77–86°F (25–30°C)
Butterfly peacock bass
Cichla ocellarisFreshwater29.1 in (74 cm)211 gal (800 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)
Speckled peacock bass
Cichla temensisFreshwater39 in (99 cm)396 gal (1,500 L)79–84°F (26–29°C)