Also known as
- Tucunaré-Borboleta BR
- Pavón VE
- Borboleta BR
- Butterfly Peacock Bass US
- Orinoco Butterfly Peacock US
- Tucunaré US
- Tucunaré Miri US
- Taua US
Identification
A powerful compact cichlid with a robust laterally compressed build engineered for explosive ambush strikes in slow tropical river sections. Breeding males develop pronounced head humps.
- Bright golden-yellow to olive-green body with vivid blue and gold iridescence
- Three large gold-edged black spots along the flanks plus a fourth at the tail base
- No dark markings on the gill cover — distinguishes this species from other peacock bass
- Pronounced black ocellus at the tail base
Where it holds
- Rivers
- Lakes
Behaviour
Aggressive sight-dependent ambush predator; adults feed primarily on fish (70-80% of diet) with opportunistic crustacean takes. Holds near submerged timber, overhanging branches, and aquatic vegetation, launching explosive short-range strikes on prey. Rarely feeds at night — strike rates collapse in turbid water. Peak activity at dawn and dusk; feeding intensity climbs sharply in the 25-32°C (77-90°F) band during stable conditions. Low-water periods concentrate fish into remaining deep pools.
Diet: Baitfish, Characins, Small Cichlids, Cyprinids, Shrimp
How it's caught
Line Fishing
Spinning
Cast topwater poppers, propeller plugs, and crankbaits tight to submerged timber, overhanging branches, and vegetation edges in slow backwaters and lagoons. Quick violent retrieves with sharp pauses trigger the chase instinct. Set hard on the strike and turn fish immediately — they bury into cover instantly.
Live Lining
Float-fish or free-line a live 8-12cm shiner, small characin, or large insect near submerged timber and vegetation at 0.6-1.2m depth. Fluorocarbon leader mandatory. Let the fish run before setting — produces consistently in stained water where lures falter.
Jigging
Work bucktail jigs vertically near submerged structure, drop-offs, and deep holes (5-15m) during the midday lull or low-water concentrations. Sharp upward jerks with controlled falls imitate injured baitfish. Maintain contact throughout the fall — most strikes come on the drop.
Fly Fishing
Streamer
Strip large 10-15cm baitfish streamers and surface poppers to structure edges and vegetation on 9-10wt tackle. Fast erratic strips on streamers; pop-and-pause on surface flies draws explosive takes. Heavy shock tippet turns fish out of dense cover.
