Temensis Peacock Bass (Cichla temensis)

Temensis Peacock Bass (Cichla temensis) is the largest member of the peacock bass genus and is a top level predator in their native South American river habitat. They are most often found in slow moving or still water environments like lagoons, backwaters and shoreline pockets. While Temensis Peacock Bass spend a good portion of their time in calm waters, they will readily move out into faster waters to feed and to ward off potential competitors. Peacock Bass are used to environments that have warm water year round, with temperatures reaching upwards of 86° during the day and around 80° during evening hours. Their native river habitat's water conditions are acidic with a pH range of 5.0 to 6.5 and a water hardness between 5 to 15 dH; as well as, fast flowing with a large volume of water passing down from the mountains on its way to the ocean. Cichla temensis have evolved perfectly for their environment with long sleek bodies and powerful pectoral and anal fins, which they use to maintain ambush positions in rapidly flowing waters and ambush prey. Temensis Peacock Bass are becoming much more available within the aquarium hobby as their size, pattern, coloration and aggressive feeding habits have made them very popular with aquarium hobbyists interested in keeping larger New World Cichlid species.