Peacock Bass
Cichla ocellaris
What you need to keep a Peacock Bass
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pH
6.5–7.5
Temperature
26–30 °C
Max size
65 cm
Min tank
1000 L
Where to buy
Compare prices from SA aquarium shops listing Peacock Bass.
Avg. price
R4 833
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Overview
What to know before you buy.
The Peacock Bass is a powerful, strikingly coloured cichlid from the Amazon basin, named for the ocellus (eye-spot) on its tail fin that resembles a peacock's tail feather. Renowned worldwide as one of the hardest-fighting freshwater game fish, it is also an impressive aquarium specimen with its vivid green-gold body and bold black bars. An aggressive apex predator, it feeds exclusively on live fish in the wild and requires a large, well-filtered system.
Key traits
Care guide
Keeping Peacock Bass healthy in a South African setup.
Tank setup
A minimum 1000L aquarium suits Peacock Bass. Use robust décor and sight breaks so each fish can hold its own space.
Water parameters
Keep pH 6.5–7.5 and 26–30°C. Stable parameters matter more than chasing perfect numbers; acclimate new arrivals slowly.
Feeding
Carnivore. Feed small amounts it clears in a couple of minutes, and vary the diet.
Behaviour
Aggressive. Watch it at feeding time and at lights-out to see its real temperament in your tank.
Tankmates
Choose robust tankmates of similar size, and nothing small enough to be eaten. Add Peacock Bass last so territories reset.
Breeding
Peacock Bass can breed in home aquariums with a conditioned pair and stable water.
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