Cichla temensis Breeding Guide

Breeding biology of the speckled peacock bass Cichla temensis, a giant biparental substrate spawner impractical to breed at home.

Overview

Cichla temensis, the speckled peacock bass, is the largest cichlid in the Americas, with a maximum recorded length of 99 cm and a weight of 12.2 kg. It is native to the Orinoco and Rio Negro basins and smaller Amazon rivers. It is a substrate-spawning, biparental cichlid whose reproduction is tied to the seasonal flood pulse.

Sexing

Males tend to be larger than females, though the ratio varies widely (males can range from 20% to 300% of female body mass). Before and during the rainy season, breeding adults develop a pronounced nuchal hump on the forehead.

Spawning Behavior & Trigger

Fish begin breeding at the end of the dry season and continue into rising-water and rainy periods, typically spawning once a year in flood-pulse habitats. Maturity may begin at a total length of about 300 mm. Pairs prepare a site with hardscape such as a rock or standing tree at a depth of 1-1.5 m.

Egg & Fry Care

Female fecundity ranges from under 2000 eggs to over 10000, correlated with body mass. One or both parents vigilantly guard the brood, and the fry school is protected for about two months or until the young reach about 60 mm standard length, with the guarding parents fasting throughout this period.

Common Challenges

The combination of giant size, seasonal flood cues and intensive guarding behavior makes controlled spawning feasible only in pond or aquaculture systems, well beyond the scope of home aquaria.