Butterfly Peacock Bass (Cichla ocellaris)


The Butterfly Peacock Bass or Cichla ocellaris is a freshwater fish that is considered to be one of the strongest pound for pound fighters in the world!  Like the Smallmouth and Largemouth Bass, these fish strike hard and have a never say die attitude!  Despite their name these fish are actually Cichlids, not Bass, and are just one of the several species of Peacock Bass.   

Also known as the Peacock Cichlid, Tuncunare and Mariposa these fish have been introduced in Hawaii as well as Florida, Panama, Guam, the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico.  Their coloration can vary quite a bit, but they are generally a yellowish green with three dark blotches.  When breeding, much like many species of Salmon, they develop a hump on the backs of the males.   You can check out this beautiful species as well as their fry in the video below...

These fish are not the biggest, but make up for that with their fight.  The record Butterfly Peacock Bass was 12lbs 9oz and was caught in Venezuela.  If you have any fishing tips please share!

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