Speckled Peacock Bass (Tucunaré Açu)
Cichla temensis
The True Amazonian Titan of the Cichlid World (80-100 cm / 30-40 inches). The Temensis is the absolute king, the most massive, longest, and heaviest species of Peacock Bass and the single largest cichlid in the Americas (weighing up to 29 lbs). Highly prized as the ultimate freshwater game fish, its raw, explosive power translates terrifyingly into captivity. Unique for exhibiting two wildly different visual color phases (the speckled 'Paca' phase and the brilliantly banded 'Açu' phase), it is a supreme pursuit predator. Standard home aquariums are a death sentence; this gigantic, 3-foot missile strictly and exclusively requires custom-built indoor ponds and industrial, zoo-grade filtration.
Température de l’eau
25 - 30 °C
Valeur du pH
5.5 - 7.5
Type d'eau
Eau douce
Niveau dans le bac
Tous les niveaux
Taille adulte
90 cm
Volume minimal du bac
4 000 L
Groupe minimal
>= 1
GH
2 - 12 dGH
KH
1 - 6 dKH
TDS
40 - 240 ppm
Conductivité
63 - 375 uS/cm
Description de l'espèce
Geographical Origin and Habitat: Rio Negro and Orinoco basin (South America). Frequents the deep zones of slow rivers and lakes (igapó) rich in tannins and submerged forests.
Taxonomy and Morphology: Speckled Peacock Bass (Cichla temensis). The undisputed giant of the Cichlid family, as well as a formidable sport fishing predator. It can exceed 90 cm (36 inches) and weigh 13 kg (28 lbs). Incredibly slender and muscular shape, prominent and retractable lower jaw.
Social Behavior: Literally splits in two anything that tries to eat in front of it. Juveniles hunt in organized packs, adults form titanic pairs that appropriate entire sections of the river.
Coloration and Sexual Dimorphism: Possesses two spectacular color "phases" based on age/reproduction. Paca phase (sub-adult/non-reproductive): dark with dozens of rows of white spots and shaded bands. Asu phase (reproductive): bright green/golden with 3 massive vertical black bands. Large ocellus on the tail.
Soins, reproduction et cohabitation
Aquarium Setup: INCOMPATIBLE with standard home aquariums. Requires resin/fiberglass tanks of at least 4000-5000 liters (1000-1300 gallons, 13+ feet in length). Minimalist decor (only sand and large immovable branches) to prevent them from destroying everything when darting.
Diet and Feeding: Macro-eating piscivore at the top of the food chain. As very young they accept huge pellets, but as adults the basis of the diet is whole thawed fish (tilapia, trout, sardines), mollusks and large prawns.
Water Quality: Produces tons of waste: filtration (industrial Sumps or fluidized sand filters) must be ridiculously powerful. Demands very warm (28-30°C / 82-86°F) and soft water (pH 5.5-6.5).
Compatibility and Cohabitation: Coexistence strictly limited to other titanic South American cichlids (other Cichla), one-meter armored catfish (Megalodoras, Pseudoplatystoma) and giant Arowanas, provided the tank is a pool.
Aquarium Breeding: Almost never documented due to lack of suitable facilities. In nature, both gigantic parents guard the tens of thousands of eggs laid in shallow waters, tearing apart even caimans.
Risks and Diseases: Buying a juvenile without the prospect of having a 4000-liter tank means condemning it to stunting, chronic stress (Hole in the Head disease) and finally an early and pitiful death.
Origine et répartition géographiques
Rio Negro and Orinoco basin (South America). Frequents the deep zones of slow rivers and lakes (igapó) rich in tannins and submerged forests.
Origine
Amazonie, Orénoque et GuyanesAmérique centrale et CaraïbesAmérique du Nord
Profil de poisson
- Tempérament
- Semi-aggressive
- The temperament of this fish is extremely aggressive and territorial, dominating the living space in which it is found without reservation. It is a formidable and explosive swimmer that constantly patrols the tank and reacts with sudden attacks toward any intruder. Aquarium management requires great caution from the keeper during maintenance operations.
- Régime alimentaire
- Omnivore
- This species is an apex predator at the top of the food chain and in nature feeds exclusively on other fish. In captivity, it requires a diet rich in protein of marine or freshwater origin, such as raw whole fish fillets, shelled shrimp, mussels, and large pellets formulated for predatory species. The use of live feeder fish should be avoided to prevent the transmission of infections and parasites harmful to the tank ecosystem.
- Espérance de vie
- 12-15 years
- Taille adulte
- 90 cm
- Ratio des sexes
- Solitary
- Specific sex ratios are generally not a concern for the speckled peacock bass in home aquaria, as housing even one adult requires a custom, pond-sized enclosure. They are intensely predatory and territorial, meaning multiple adults will require tens of thousands of gallons to coexist peacefully regardless of sex. If a breeding pair is desired, it is best established by raising a group of juveniles in a massive facility and letting them pair naturally. For the overwhelming majority of keepers, they are kept as single specimen monsters, making sex ratio completely irrelevant.
- Fréquence d'alimentation
- Twice daily
- It is recommended to feed young specimens several times daily with small portions to support their exceptional growth. For adult individuals, the frequency must be drastically reduced to one meal every two or three days to accommodate their slow digestion times and prevent lipid accumulation diseases. Providing targeted meals also helps control feeding aggression and preserve overall health.
- Charge biologique
- Extreme
- The speckled peacock bass is one of the largest cichlids in the world, generating a staggeringly massive bioload that pushes aquarium filtration to its limits. They consume enormous quantities of protein-rich foods, rapidly producing vast amounts of ammonia and solid waste. A standard filtration system will completely fail; they require industrial-scale biological filters, massive sumps, and continuous water exchange systems. Without pristine water management, their waste output will rapidly degrade water quality and lead to fatal toxicity.
- Courant
- Stagnant
- This species prefers moderate to strong water movement to reproduce the currents of the large rivers of the Rio Negro basin. A vigorous current stimulates the active swimming of the fish and promotes the oxygenation essential to support its high metabolic load. A gigantic professional filtration system is indispensable to rapidly remove generated organic waste.
- Risque de saut
- Yes
- Due to their massive size, immense power, and surface-feeding habits, the speckled peacock bass represents an extreme jump risk. When striking at prey or lunging out of fear, they can smash through standard aquarium lids with ease. A reinforced, heavy-duty cover, sometimes weighted down or securely bolted, is absolutely mandatory to prevent these giant fish from ending up on the floor. Their explosive raw power must never be underestimated when designing the aquarium enclosure.
- Reproduction
- Oviparous
- This species is a substrate breeder that meticulously cleans flat surfaces such as large rocks or logs prior to spawning. Breeding in captivity is extraordinarily complex and is not achievable in standard home aquariums due to the exceptional size of the fish, which requires dedicated tropical ponds. Both parents dedicate themselves with extraordinary aggressiveness to defending the territory and the adhesive eggs against anyone.
- Compatibilité et compagnons
- With caution
- Compatibility is strictly limited to colossal and leathery fish such as giant arowanas, large freshwater stingrays, and armored catfish of similar size. It is fundamental to avoid introducing any tankmate that can fit in its mouth, as it would be immediately swallowed. Being an apex predator, coexistence with other territorial species requires immense spaces to prevent fatal fights.
- Niveau dans le bac
- All levels
- Speckled peacock bass predominantly occupy the middle and top levels of the water column, acting as apex open-water cruisers. They demand vast, unobstructed swimming space to accommodate their massive turning radius and high-speed hunting bursts. While they might occasionally retreat to deep cover if frightened, they naturally prowl the upper water levels scanning for surface disturbances. The tank must be completely devoid of tall, sharp aquascaping to prevent injuries during their rapid, powerful swims.
Modèles et paramètres scientifiques
FishBase
Fenêtre sur les données scientifiques officielles de l’espèce
FishBase v25.04Données synchronisées le : 15/06/2026
- Niveau trophique
- 4,5 ± 0,5 se
- Résilience
- Moyenne (1,4 - 4,4 ans)
- Singularité phylogénétique (PD50)
- 0.5
- Relation bayésienne longueur-poids
- a = 0.01122, b = 3.08
- VulnérabilitéVulnérabilité modérée à élevée (54 / 100)
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