Skip to main content

Peacock Bass

Peacock Bass

Tucunaré is the fish that puts Brazil's Amazon on every serious angler's bucket list.

Native to the Rio Branco drainage and spread across the broader Amazon basin, Cichla ocellaris is the butterfly peacock — one of several peacock bass species anglers encounter here, typically running to 10 lbs with occasional fish pushing larger.

The fishery draws anglers from around the world to the blackwater rivers of Amazonas state.

Scientific Name: Cichla ocellaris

Also known as Tucunaré, Butterfly Peacock Bass, Ocellaris Peacock Bass

Physical Characteristics:
  • Gold-to-olive flanks with three dark vertical bars and a distinctive black-and-gold eyespot (ocellus) at the tail base — the marking that gives the species its name.
  • Chunky, deep-bodied cichlid profile with a large mouth; males develop a pronounced nuchal hump on the forehead as they mature.
  • Typical catch in Brazil runs 3–10 lbs; fish over 15 lbs are genuinely uncommon on this species, though the Rio Marié and Rio Negro system regularly produce larger individuals.
  • Distinguish from the larger speckled peacock (C. temensis) by the three bold side bars and smaller overall size — temensis grows to 20+ lbs and shows a spotted rather than barred pattern.

What to know

Habitat Distribution

  • Native to the Rio Branco drainage in Brazil's Amazonas state; also present across much of the broader Amazon basin through natural range and spread.
  • Thrives in blackwater rivers — the tea-colored, low-pH, low-conductivity waters of the Rio Negro system and its tributaries are prime habitat.
  • Favors flooded timber, back channels, lagoons, and shallow bays created when seasonal rains inundate the forest floor.
  • During low-water season, fish concentrate in river channels, creek mouths, and isolated lagoons — exactly the conditions that make the dry-season fishery so productive.

Key Locations

  • Rio Marié (upper Rio Negro basin): holds multiple IGFA world records for peacock bass on both conventional and fly tackle; peak season runs August through February during low water.
  • Rio Negro: the main blackwater tributary of the Amazon, accessible from Manaus; the most-fished peacock bass system in Brazil, with fish regularly in the 8–15 lb range.
  • Rio Branco: a core part of the species' native range in Amazonas state; less-traveled than the Rio Negro but productive.
  • Rio Madeira and Rio Branco watersheds: additional blackwater tributaries where multiple peacock bass species, including C. ocellaris, are present alongside catfish and other Amazon species.

Specific Spots

  • Flooded timber edges: peacock bass hold tight to submerged tree trunks and root systems, using the structure to corner baitfish — work lures parallel to the wood, not through it.
  • Creek and tributary mouths where current meets still water; fish stack here to intercept smaller fish moving between systems.
  • Shallow lagoons and oxbow lakes connected to the main river during high water become isolated hunting grounds as water drops — some of the biggest fish get trapped and feed heavily.
  • Rocky points and gravel bars in clearer tributaries concentrate fish during midday heat; they push shallow again at first and last light.

Peacock Bass FAQ

Answers from onWater's species guide.

What are the best lures and bait for Peacock Bass?

Large topwater plugs, prop baits, walk-the-dog style lures, and chuggers in the 5–7" range, are the signature presentation; peacock bass hit them on the surface with force, and the visual strike is a big part of why anglers make the trip.

What flies work for Peacock Bass?

Large deer-hair or foam poppers (3–5") are the fly-rod equivalent of topwater plugs, they push water, make noise, and draw the same surface explosions; this is the most exciting way to fly-fish for peacock bass.

When is the best time to fish for Peacock Bass?

August through February is the prime dry-season window across the Rio Negro and Rio Marié systems, falling water concentrates fish and opens access to lagoons and back channels.

How do you catch Peacock Bass?

Nearly all fishing is done from fast aluminum bass boats or canoes with local guides who know the structure. Anglers cast large topwater lures or streamers to flooded timber edges, lagoon mouths, and creek confluences, then apply maximum pressure immediately to keep fish out of the wood.

What do Peacock Bass eat?

Smaller fish make up the bulk of the diet, sardinha (small characins), juvenile bicuda, and other baitfish. This is why large topwater plugs that push water and imitate a fleeing baitfish draw explosive surface strikes.

See it in the app

Most maps show you water.
onWater shows you Peacock Bass.

  1. 01 · Species map filter

    Map every Peacock Bass water

    Pick Peacock Bass and the map zeroes in on the waters they call home. No more guessing which lake holds them.

  2. 02 · Waterbody species

    Tap any water. See what lives there.

    Species, behavior and seasonal patterns for every lake, river and pond, before you leave the driveway.

  3. 03 · Angler Intelligence

    Ask how to catch Peacock Bass

    Tactics, gear and timing from onWater's AI fishing guide, tuned to the species and the water you're on.

Stop guessing where Peacock Bass are.

Open the map, filter by Peacock Bass, and head to water that holds them. Download onWater and plan your next trip in minutes.

  • Species map filter
  • Angler Intelligence
  • Fishing journal
Try onWater+ for free

Explore other species

Trout, bass, salmon, panfish and everything in between. Each guide unpacks the behavior, seasons, and tactics that put fish in the net.

No species information available.

Smarter Fishing Starts in the App.

onWater Fish gives you everything you need to plan smarter, fish better, and own every trip from first cast to last.