Author: Frank Ross

Guide Raphael Valenzuela displays a pavon caught by author, Frank Ross.

This "family" -numbering over 1,000 various species worldwide- are well known to tropical fish enthusiasts. Like the largemouth bass, the peacock likes to ambush its unsuspecting prey from submerged timber, and grassy points. This is where the similarities depart. The peacock bass is much more pleasing to the eye and is colorfully adorned with varying shades of blue, green, orange and gold. Its colorful decor belies its basic personality. This fish is not "all-show and no-go". The peacock is a tackle bustin', tail kickin', bad boy from the word go!

The peacock is much more aggressive and voracious than its namesake, and will destroy tackle that would subdue the largest stateside bucket mouth. They will also attack lures that equal their size. On one occasion, I caught a spotted peacock not much longer than the Wood Chopper I was using. This 1-1/2 pound tiger fought like a four pound largemouth. They routinely break lines, destroy rods and spool line to the hub of an unprepared angler's reel.

Four distinct species are generally recognized. Some ichthyologists believe that it is possible that a dozen or more species might actually exist throughout South America. Personally, I was there to catch them, not to categorize species. When the line went taut, they were all a thrill. For the curious, here's the breakdown.

The most common characteristic shared by all species is the circular "eye spot". This black circle, rimmed in gold at the base of the caudal fin resembles the one found on the plumes of the male Pea fowl, hence the perfect moniker.

The males are the most colorful, and with the seasonal display of a "breeding hump" on the top of their head, they appear quite ferocious- and are! This hump allows breeding males to engage in head butting to protect its mate, fry and territory. This tendency to ram accounts for occasional missed opportunities, and foul hooked fish.

El Tigre (The Tiger)
The speckled or spotted pavon (Cichla Temensis) are often called tiger peacocks, or el tigre in the vernacular. The darkest of the species, they are also the most voracious feeders. The current world all-tackle record registered with the IGFA is a spotted pavon weighing 27 pounds, caught on Brazil's Rio Negro.

El Grande (The Big One)
The peacock pavon, or tucunare Cichla Tucunare presents a swarthy green hue on its back, blending to a more golden or greenish yellow in its flanks. This species is set-off by three black vertical bars accenting each side. In addition, irregular black patches are positioned behind each eye, on the cheek and gill plates. Although the spotted pavon may hold the world record, in terms of numbers of big fish, the peacock pavon is generally accepted as the largest of the four major types. On this trip, Cabela's Sportsman's Quest TV host, Jay Novacek, caught one that weighed a whopping 15 pounds.

Mariposa Pavon (Butterfly Peacock)
La mariposa, or butterfly pavon (Cichla Ocellaris) is the most colorful of the tucunare family. It is distinguished by three circular black blotches called rosettes, that are randomly spaced on each side of the fish. Butterfly pavon typically average between two to four pounds. The current all tackle record for the mariposa is 10 lb, 8 oz., caught on the Rio Branco, Brazil.

Real Pavon (Royal Peacock)
The royal pavon (Cichla Intermedia), is also referred to as the black-striped peacock. It is comparable in size to the butterfly, and is most distinguished by an irregular dark lateral line, running the length of its green and gold body. It is also distinguished by seven to ten faint black vertical bars, that embellish each side of the fish. This is probably the least common of all four major species. The current all-tackle record for royals was caught in the Rio Cinaruco River, Venezuela, and weighed 3 lb. 4 oz. This species is also only found in Venezuela and Colombia.

The Peacock Princess

The peacock bass can be found in a number of areas, but most notably in the Orinoco-Amazon River systems in Brazil, Venezuela, Peru, Guyana and Columbia. The fish has also been introduced as a non-native species in Panama, Puerto Rico, Hawaii and closer to home, in the canals around the Miami International Airport. If you want to experience the brute strength of the big boys in their radiant splendor, Venezuela's Lake Guri is your best option. It's closer than Brazil and easier to get to.

The peacock princess is the best platform of choice for your stay in the lush, green jungle, surrounded by squawking Parrots, Macaws, Howler Monkeys and all species of the voracious peacock bass.

See a complete selection of all types of fishing gear.

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For more information, check out our Peacock Bass Tactics.

For more information, check out our Spinning Reel Buyer's Guide.