Blue Peacock Bass (Cichla piquiti) Care Guide
Cichla piquiti is a predatory peacock bass endemic to the Tocantins-Araguaia basin, with five dark vertical bars, described by Kullander and Ferreira in 2006.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
Cichla piquiti, the blue peacock bass or tucunare acu, is a predatory cichlid described by Kullander and Ferreira in 2006. Adults are recognised by five wide dark vertical bars below the dorsal fin.
Taxonomy
- Family: Cichlidae
- Genus: Cichla
- Scientific name: Cichla piquiti
- Described by Kullander & Ferreira, 2006
Habitat
The species is endemic to the Tocantins-Araguaia basin in Brazil, occurring naturally in the drainage of the Tocantins and Araguaia rivers. It has been introduced into the upper Parana system, including the Paranaiba River, where peacock bass are not native. It is a benthopelagic freshwater fish of tropical waters.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 1800 L or more
- Temperature: 26-30 °C (79-86 °F)
- pH: 5.0-7.0
- GH: 2-10 °dGH
- Maximum size: about 48 cm TL (males); 38.5 cm (females) per FishBase
- Lifespan: 10-15 years
FishBase reports a maximum total length of about 48 cm in males and 38.5 cm in females. The KB record lists a larger upper range to about 75 cm; either way, this is a species for very large aquariums.
Diet
Cichla piquiti is a piscivore with a high FishBase trophic level around 4.2. In captivity it requires a carnivorous diet of suitable whole or prepared meaty foods, fed twice daily.
Compatibility
Aggressive and predatory, it is suitable only with very large, robust tankmates such as big plecos in spacious systems. Small fish and most cichlids are unsuitable.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: Least Concern, assessed in 2018.
Cichla piquiti Breeding Guide
Overview
Cichla piquiti is a peacock bass endemic to the Tocantins-Araguaia basin in Brazil. FishBase reports a maximum length of 48.0 cm TL (males/unsexed) and 38.5 cm for females, with a maximum published weight of 1.8 kg. The species name, from a Tupi-Guarani word meaning 'striped', reflects its adult pattern of five wide dark vertical bars below the dorsal fin. Like all peacock bass, it is a substrate-spawning, biparental cichlid.
Sexing
In Cichla, many adults, primarily males but also some females, develop a pronounced forehead (nuchal) hump shortly before and during the rainy season when spawning takes place.
Spawning Behavior & Trigger
Peacock bass generally spawn during the rainy season. As substrate spawners, pairs prepare a hard surface and deposit eggs on it, with reproduction tied to the seasonal flood pulse of their native rivers.
Egg & Fry Care
The genus shows biparental care: one or both parents vigilantly guard the eggs and the fry school against predators, a behavior documented across Cichla species.
Common Challenges
Large adult size and predatory aggression make pair formation and brood rearing unrealistic in home aquaria; controlled spawning occurs in pond and aquaculture systems.