Peacock bass

The Peacock Bass is a large, fast-growing predatory cichlid native to South America, especially the Amazon basin. Known for its striking colors—golden yellow, green, and orange—with signature black vertical bars and a prominent tail “eye spot” (ocellus), this fish is a true showstopper. Highly intelligent and aggressive, Peacock Bass are prized by advanced aquarists for their powerful presence and interactive behavior.

Peacock Bass (Cichla spp.) – Complete Care Guide Description The Peacock Bass is a large, fast-growing predatory cichlid native to South America, especially the Amazon basin. Known for its striking colors—golden yellow, green, and orange—with signature black vertical bars and a prominent tail “eye spot” (ocellus), this fish is a true showstopper. Highly intelligent and aggressive, Peacock Bass are prized by advanced aquarists for their powerful presence and interactive behavior. Water Parameters Temperature: 24°C – 30°C pH: 6.0 – 7.5 Hardness: 5 – 15 dGH Tank Size: Minimum 180–300+ gallons (larger species need indoor ponds) Water Type: Soft to moderately hard, clean and highly oxygenated Excellent water quality is essential due to their heavy bioload and rapid growth. Care & Maintenance Peacock Bass are demanding and require serious commitment: Provide a very large tank or indoor pond setup Use high-capacity filtration systems (canister/sump recommended) Maintain frequent water changes (30–50% weekly) Keep open swimming space with minimal décor Use a tight-fitting lid, as they are strong jumpers They grow quickly and need long-term planning before purchase. Behaviour & Temperament This species is highly aggressive, territorial, and predatory: Will consume any fish small enough to fit in its mouth Can be kept singly or in groups (only in very large setups) Displays dominance and hierarchy within groups Extremely active swimmers and powerful feeders They are not suitable for standard community aquariums. Suitable Tank Mates Only compatible with very large, robust, and fast species: Large catfish (Plecos, Redtail Catfish) Arowanas Large cichlids (with caution) Stingrays (in expert setups) Even with these, monitoring is essential due to unpredictable aggression. Tank Mates to Avoid Avoid all small and medium-sized fish: Tetras, Rasboras, Barbs Gouramis and Angelfish Livebearers (Guppies, Mollies) Any slow or peaceful fish These will be seen as prey and quickly eaten. Pro Tips Suitable only for advanced aquarists with large setups Feed a high-protein diet (quality pellets, frozen fish/shrimp) Avoid relying heavily on live feeders to prevent disease Ensure strong aeration and filtration at all times Plan for adult size (up to 2–3 feet depending on species) Best kept in species-only or large predator aquariums The Peacock Bass is a powerful and visually stunning predator that demands space, experience, and dedication. When kept correctly, it becomes an impressive centerpiece and one of the most rewarding fish for large-scale aquarium enthusiasts.