Peacock bass

Peacock bass or (Brazilian Tucunaré) (Cichla) is a genus of large cichlids,[3][4] diurnal and predatory freshwater fish native to the Amazon and Orinoco basins, as well as rivers of the Guianas, in tropical South America.[2] They are sometimes referred to in English by their Brazilian name tucunaré or their Spanish name pavon.[4] Despite the common name and their superficial similarity, they are not closely related to other fish known as bass, such as the North American largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides).[5][6]

Peacock bass
An adult butterfly peacock bass
A juvenile Orinoco peacock bass
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Actinopterygii
Order:	Cichliformes
Family:	Cichlidae
Tribe:	Cichlini
Genus:	Cichla Bloch & Schneider, 1801[1]
Type species
Cichla ocellaris Bloch & Schneider, 1801
Synonyms
Acharnes Holmberg, 1891[2]

Peacock bass are important food fish and also considered game fish. This has resulted in their accidental (escapees from fish farms) or deliberate (release by fishers) introduction to regions outside their native range, both elsewhere in South America,[7][8] and in warm parts of North America and Asia.[9][10] Singles have been caught elsewhere, including Australia,[11] but do not appear to have become established there.[12] Where established as an introduced species, they may become invasive and damage the ecosystem because of their highly predatory behavior, feeding extensively on smaller native fish.[13]

The largest species in the genus, the speckled peacock bass (C. temensis), reaches up to 13 kg (29 lb) in weight and 1 m (3.3 ft) in length, possibly making it the largest species of cichlid[14] (others suggest that prize goes to the African giant cichlid, Boulengerochromis microlepis).[15] Other peacock bass species are smaller.[16] They are sometimes kept in aquariums, but even the smaller species require a very large tank.[6][17]

Taxonomy and species

Cichla temensis

Cichla monoculus

Following a taxonomic review published in 2006,[2] 15 Cichla species are recognized by FishBase:[16]

• Cichla intermedia Machado-Allison, 1971 (royal peacock bass)
• Cichla jariina S. O. Kullander & E. J. G. Ferreira, 2006 (Jari peacock bass)
• Cichla kelberi S. O. Kullander & E. J. G. Ferreira, 2006 (kelberi peacock bass)
• Cichla melaniae S. O. Kullander & E. J. G. Ferreira, 2006 (Xingu peacock bass)
• Cichla mirianae S. O. Kullander & E. J. G. Ferreira, 2006 (Tapajós peacock bass)
• Cichla monoculus Agassiz, 1831 (monoculus peacock bass, tucanare peacock bass)
• Cichla nigromaculata Jardine & R. H. Schomburgk, 1843
• Cichla ocellaris Bloch & J. G. Schneider, 1801 (butterfly peacock bass)
• Cichla orinocensis Humboldt, 1821 (Orinoco peacock bass)
• Cichla pinima S. O. Kullander & E. J. G. Ferreira, 2006 (spotted peacock bass)
• Cichla piquiti S. O. Kullander & E. J. G. Ferreira, 2006 (blue peacock bass)
• Cichla pleiozona S. O. Kullander & E. J. G. Ferreira, 2006 (Lake Gatun peacock[18])
• Cichla temensis Humboldt, 1821 (speckled pavon, speckled peacock bass, three-barred peacock bass)
• Cichla thyrorus S. O. Kullander & E. J. G. Ferreira, 2006 (Trombetas peacock bass)
• Cichla vazzoleri S. O. Kullander & E. J. G. Ferreira, 2006 (Vazzoler's peacock bass)

In addition, possibly undescribed species of peacock bass are known from the Travessão and Paru Rivers in Brazil.[19][20]

Traditionally, only five peacock bass were recognized, but in the review in 2006, nine new species were described and C. nigromaculata was revalidated.[2] In general, the various species are similar in proportions and most meristics, but differ in colour pattern (and range). This is similar to other diurnal cichlids, where visual clues play an important role in the behavior, including breeding.[2] The speckled or three-barred peacock bass (C. temensis) in particular has caused problems due to its extensive variation, but the speckled pattern has now been shown to be present in nonbreeders and the three-barred when breeding.[4] Although minor variations are known from adults of other peacock bass species, none shows the extreme variation of the speckled/three-barred peacock bass.[4]

A genetic study published in 2012 has cast doubt on the validity of some of the species recognized in the review in 2006.[3] Aside from limited hybridization among many species, in both natural and human-altered environments, several species do not show sufficient differentiation to imply reproductive isolation and/or a history of independent evolution.[3] Among the species implicated as probable "good" species were C. intermedia, C. orinocensis, C. temensis, C. melaniae, C. mirianae, and C. piquiti. The other species were suggested to be part of two widespread meta-species or species complexes, called Cichla pinima sensu lato (including C. jariina, C. thyrorus, and C. vazzoleri) and C. ocellaris sensu lato (including C. monoculus, C. nigromaculata, C. pleiozona, and C. kelberi).[3] In contrast, a genetic study published in 2007 suggested that two of those demoted taxa, C. monoculus and C. pleiozona, are valid species (this study lacked samples from some of the more localized proposed species).[21]

The peacock bass genus Cichla has been placed by some authorities as the only genus in the monogeneric tribe Cichlini.[22]

Common names

Many common names are used for these fish in Brazil, the country of their largest native region. The most popular of these is tucunaré. In Spanish, the generic common name for these cichlids is pavόn. Pavón, in Spanish, means "peacock", while the Brazilian name comes from Tupi, a native Indian language, and means "friend of the tree", as this peacock bass usually stays close to submerged trees to hunt and to protect itself and its nests.

Description

Adult Cichla orinocensis is easily recognized by its three large gold-edged spots (not bars) on the side of the body[2]

The speckled peacock bass is the largest species and can grow to 1 m (3.3 ft) in length, and may be the largest of all cichlid fishes. Most display a color pattern based on a theme of three wide vertical stripes on their bodies, sometimes with smaller intermediate bands, only a grey, brown, yellow, or green background. They also exhibit a spot on their tail fins that resembles the eyes on a peacock's tail feathers—a feature which resulted in their common names (this "ocellus" is a common feature of South American cichlids, and is thought to deter predators and fin-biting piranhas). In addition, many adult fishes (primarily males, but also some females) develop a pronounced hump on their foreheads (nuchal hump) shortly before and during the rainy season, when the fishes generally spawn. Other physical traits can vary greatly, depending on the species, individual, and stage of development. These include dark rosettes instead of stripes, light speckles, and impressive shades of bright green, orange, blue, and gold. Very young fish exhibit dark horizontal stripes down half (C. orinocensis, C. ocellaris, et al.) or the whole (C. temensis, C. pinima, et al.) body.

Conservation status

The IUCN has not investigated the conservation status of any peacock bass species. Therefore, they do not appear on its red list.[23] Some of the species have relatively small distributions,[2] and C. melaniae is restricted to the lower Xingu River in an area that will be heavily affected by the Belo Monte Dam.[24][25]

As gamefish

Sport fishermen have made these cichlids prized game fish for their fighting qualities, so much so that many travel agencies now arrange fishing trips to Brazil and Florida specifically to catch peacock bass.

Renowned American peacock bass fisherman and fishing author, Larry Larsen, refers to them as "freshwater bullies" due to their ferocious nature when hunting and their tendency to damage and sometimes destroy fishing gear when striking.

The most common techniques for catching these cichlids are similar to those for catching largemouth bass, with the notable exception that peacock bass usually will not strike artificial worms, a widely used lure among largemouth bass fisherman. In addition, fly fishing techniques, including lures such as poppers and large streamers, are becoming increasingly popular for catching them.

Introductions

Peacock bass caught in Singapore

Invasive species

Peacock bass have been identified as invasive species and cause of ecological imbalances in some of their introduced areas.[26]

Peacock bass introduction in the Rosana Reservoir and upper Paraná River, both in Brazil, resulted in a 95% decline in native fish density and 80% decline in richness in only two years.[13]

Few measures can protect native fish once peacock bass have been introduced. Reduction in native species' richness in lakes with introduced peacock bass was observed in all of the Gatun-area lakes, regardless of the presence of macrophyte refugia.[27] After initial increases in abundance, introduced peacock bass often deplete local prey and resort to cannibalism.[28][29][30]

In Panama's Gatun Lake

Cichla cf. ocellaris was introduced into Panama via a freshwater creek in the Rio Chagres drainage region unintentionally in the late 1950s (experts are not certain of the exact date). A well-known aquarist and medical doctor began raising peacock bass in a small pond in his back yard for sale as aquarium fish. Within a year, heavy rains flooded the pond, causing some fry to escape into a nearby creek which drained into Gatun Lake. By 1964, the lake and nearby rivers and creeks were overrun with the cichlids, providing sport fishing opportunities that had not existed previously. Since then, C. cf. ocellaris has become the dominant sport fish species in the area.

The presence of peacock bass in Panama has caused significant damage to the native fish assemblage, by eliminating seven of eleven previously common fish species, and significantly reducing three others. Local extinctions and a decrease in abundance of many species led to cascading second-order effects on zooplankton and tertiary consumer communities.[31] Malaria incidence was reported to have risen significantly in the area around Gatun following the elimination of prey fishes that had previously kept the mosquito population at lower levels.[31] This is an example of how species introductions can have explicit consequences for human health.

In Florida

In 1984, after 10 years of study, Florida officials deliberately introduced butterfly peacock bass and speckled peacock bass to the southern region of that state[32] to prey on other non-native species, including the oscar (Astronotus ocellatus), Midas cichlid (Amphilophus citrinellus), and spotted tilapia (Tilapia mariae). Their introduction also provided additional sport fishing opportunities for anglers. While the butterfly peacock bass has flourished in Florida, the speckled peacock bass has not. Therefore, it is now illegal to kill or possess speckled peacock bass in Florida. The butterfly peacock bass tends to flourish in the canals and fresh waterways throughout south Florida.

Because of their tropical origins, peacock bass cannot tolerate low water temperatures. This has prevented them from becoming abundant in Florida outside of Palm Beach, Broward, and Miami-Dade Counties.

Aquaculture

Tilapia farmers sometimes keep peacock bass to eat any spawn that occur among their fish, in addition to eating any invasive fish that pose a threat to young tilapia (e.g. sunfish, piranha). Spawning and brood-raising reduce the growth rate of the tilapia, so introduction of Cichla is thought to maintain a high growth rate in the tilapia.

They are also raised commercially for the aquarium trade. Asia is one of the main sources for aquacultured peacock bass.

Peacock bass prey on any species that catches their eye, but those in which they seem most interested are tilapia, crayfish, tadpoles, mosquitofish, minnows, and guppies. Also, they will eat their own young when other fish are scarce.

Eating quality

Their eating quality is very good. Their flesh is white and sweet when cooked, and has very little oil, making it similar in taste to snapper or grouper. Also, they are not excessively bony. However, most professional American anglers recommend practicing catch and release for these species to protect their numbers in the United States. To help ensure this, Florida Wildlife and Game Commission officers strictly enforce bag limits for these fish.

References

1. "Cichla". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved 30 January 2006.
2. Kullander, Sven; Efrem Ferreira (2006). "A review of the South American cichlid genus Cichla, with descriptions of nine new species (Teleostei: Cichlidae)". Ichthyological Explorations of Freshwaters. 17 (4).
3. Willis, Stuart; Izeni Farias; Guillermo Orti (2012). "Simultaneous delimitation of species and quantification of interspecific hybridization in Amazonian peacock cichlids (genus Cichla) using multi-locus data". BMC Evolutionary Biology. 12 (96): 96. doi:10.1186/1471-2148-12-96. PMC 3563476. PMID 22727018.
4. Reiss, P.; K.W. Able; M.S. Nunes; and T. Hrbek (2012). "Color pattern variation in Cichla temensis (Perciformes: Cichlidae): resolution based on morphological, molecular, and reproductive data". Neotrop. Ichthyol. 10 (1): 59–70. doi:10.1590/S1679-62252012000100006.CS1 maint: uses authors parameter (link)
5. "What is a Peacock Bass?". Acute Angling. Retrieved 17 October 2017.
6. "Peacock Bass - Spectacular Cichlids for Big Aquaria". Tropical Fish Finder. Retrieved 17 October 2017.
7. Ortega, J.C.G. (2015). "First record of Peacock bass Cichla kelberi Kullander & Ferreira, 2006 in the Brazilian Pantanal". BioInvasions Records. 4 (2): 133–138. doi:10.3391/bir.2015.4.2.10.
8. Gasques; Fabrin; Gonçalves; Prioli; and Prioli (2015). "Prospecting molecular markers to distinguish Cichla kelberi, C. monoculus and C. piquiti". Acta Scientiarum. 37 (4): 455–462. doi:10.4025/actascibiolsci.v37i4.25985.CS1 maint: uses authors parameter (link)
9. Nico, L.; M. Neilson (2017). "Cichla ocellaris Bloch and Schneider, 1801". U.S. Geological Survey, Nonindigenous Aquatic Species Database. Retrieved 17 October 2017.CS1 maint: uses authors parameter (link)
10. "Peacock Bass (introduced)". Ecology Asia. Retrieved 17 October 2017.
11. "Peacock bass found in Mackay's Pioneer River". couriermail.com.au. Retrieved 17 January 2018.
12. "No peacock bass found in Pioneer River following sampling". Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, Queensland Government. 1 February 2018. Retrieved 14 February 2018.
13. Pelicice, Fernando M.; Agostinho, Angelo A. (14 October 2008). "Fish fauna destruction after the introduction of a non-native predator (Cichla kelberi) in a Neotropical reservoir". Biological Invasions. 11 (8): 1789–1801. doi:10.1007/s10530-008-9358-3.
14. Reis, P. (2015), Aspects of life history of Cichla temensis (Perciformes: Cichlidae) and its relationship to the Amazon basin's flood pulse, Rutgers University
15. "The 10 biggest cichlids". Practical Fishkeeping. 13 June 2016. Retrieved 17 October 2017.
16. Froese, Rainer and Pauly, Daniel, eds. (2017). Species of Cichla in FishBase. October 2017 version.
17. "Cichla orinocensis". SeriouslyFish. Retrieved 17 October 2017.
18. "Lake Gatun Peacock". Acute Angling. Retrieved 6 June 2018.
19. "Rio Travessao Peacock Bass". Acute Angling. Retrieved 17 October 2017.
20. "Rio Paru Peacock Bass". Acute Angling. Retrieved 17 October 2017.
21. Willis; Nunes; Montaña; Farias; and Lovejoy (2007). "Systematics, biogeography, and evolution of the Neotropical peacock basses Cichla (Perciformes: Cichlidae)". Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution. 44 (1): 291–307. doi:10.1016/j.ympev.2006.12.014. PMID 17275345.CS1 maint: uses authors parameter (link)
22. Wm. Leo Smith; Prosanta Chakrabarty; John S. Sparks (2008). "Phylogeny, taxonomy, and evolution of Neotropical cichlids (Teleostei: Cichlidae: Cichlinae)" (PDF). Cladistics. 24 (5): 624–641.
23. "IUCN Red List of Threatened Species". International Union for Conservation of Nature. Retrieved 17 October 2017.
24. Pérez, M.S. (November–December 2015). "Where the Xingu Bends and Will Soon Break" (PDF). americanscientist.org. pp. 395–403.
25. Zuluaga-Gómez, M.A.; D.B. Fitzgerald; T. Giarrizzo; and K.O. Winemiller (2016). "Morphologic and trophic diversity of fish assemblages in rapids of the Xingu River, a major Amazon tributary and region of endemism". Environ Biol Fish. 99 (8–9): 647–658. doi:10.1007/s10641-016-0506-9.CS1 maint: uses authors parameter (link)
26. "Peacock bass invasion Had devastating, long-term impact on Panama's Fish". 12 December 2016.
27. Latini, A. O.; Petrere, M. (1 April 2004). "Reduction of a native fish fauna by alien species: an example from Brazilian freshwater tropical lakes". Fisheries Management and Ecology. 11 (2): 71–79. CiteSeerX 10.1.1.510.8982. doi:10.1046/j.1365-2400.2003.00372.x.
28. Santos, G.B.; Maia-Barbosa, P.; Vieira, F.; Lopez, C.M. (1994). "Fish and zooplankton community structure in reservoirs of Southeastern Brazil: effects of the introduction of exotic fish". In Pinto-Coelho, R.M.; Giani, A.; von Sperling, E. (eds.). Ecology and human impact on lakes and reservoirs in Minas Gerais, with special reference to future development and management strategies. SEGRAC, Belo Horizonte. pp. 115–132.
29. Gomiero, L. M.; Braga, F. M. S. (1 August 2004). "Cannibalism as the main feeding behaviour of tucunares introduced in Southeast Brazil". Brazilian Journal of Biology. 64 (3b): 625–632. doi:10.1590/S1519-69842004000400009. PMID 15620000.
30. Fugi, Rosemara; Luz-Agostinho, Karla D. G.; Agostinho, Angelo A. (2008). "Trophic interaction between an introduced (peacock bass) and a native (dogfish) piscivorous fish in a Neotropical impounded river". Hydrobiologia. 607 (1): 143–150. doi:10.1007/s10750-008-9384-2.
31. Zaret, T.M.; Paine, R.T. (1973). "Species Introduction in a Tropical Lake". Science. 182 (2): 449–455. Bibcode:1973Sci...182..449Z. doi:10.1126/science.182.4111.449. PMID 17832455.
32. Shafland, Paul (May–June 2008). "Butterfly peacock bass: A new Florida tradition" (PDF). Florida Wildlife. 61 (3): 27–29. Archived from the original (PDF) on 11 February 2010.

External links

• Gatun Lake