Diet
Azul Peacock Bass are carnivores, feeding mainly on other fish, along with crustaceans and the occasional insect.
Average lifespan
Around 10 to 15 years in human care.
Size
Adults commonly reach 50 to 60 centimetres (20 to 24 inches), and large individuals can grow longer.
Weight
Adults typically weigh 2 to 5 kilograms (4.5 to 11 pounds), with the biggest fish reaching around 7 kilograms (15 pounds).
About
Azul Peacock Bass are native to the Tocantins–Araguaia river basin in Brazil, where they live in clear, slow-moving rivers, lagoons and flooded forest. Our pair share the Mertens’ water monitor exhibit at Reptilia Whitby. Despite the name, they aren’t true bass at all – they’re one of the largest members of the cichlid family.
Size and behavior
Azul Peacock Bass have a powerful, torpedo-shaped body with a large mouth, an olive-gold base colour, five dark vertical bars and a striking blue sheen that gives them their name. Like other peacock bass, they have a bold eyespot – the ocellus – on the tail. They are active daytime hunters that patrol open water, using bursts of speed to ambush prey.
Diet and nutrition
In the wild they hunt smaller fish such as characins and other cichlids, swallowing prey whole. At Reptilia they are fed a varied diet of appropriately sized fish and other protein-rich foods to keep them healthy and active.
Tropical Rivers & Lakes
More animals to meet
Conservation status
Not yet evaluated by the IUCN. Wild populations face pressure from dam construction, habitat change in the Tocantins basin and heavy sport fishing. Peacock bass introduced outside their native range have become invasive in some regions.
Fun fact
Peacock bass are devoted parents! Both mum and dad guard their eggs and fry, and they will defend their young fiercely against much larger animals.
Common Name: Azul Peacock Bass
Also known as: N/A
Visit in person
Animals on display vary by location and may change from day to day.