Butterfly Peacock Bass
Cichla ocellaris
Also called peacock bass, peacock, tucunare
A colorful South American cichlid with distinctive eyespots and vibrant patterns. Known for aggressive strikes and strong fighting ability.
Butterfly Peacock Bass at a glance
- Scientific name
- Cichla ocellaris
- Typical size
- 14-22 inches
- IGFA world record
- 12 lbs 9 oz
- State record
- 12 lbs 9 oz
- Water
- Freshwater
- Habitat
- Freshwater
- Rarity in the Fishdex™
- Uncommon
Habitat
South Florida canals, lakes. Invasive species. Aggressive, structure-oriented.
Catch one and it is yours
Log a butterfly peacock bass through the Cobia Camera and this entry fills in with your photo, your personal best, and the exact conditions on the day. The app also carries the slot and season rules for wherever you are standing.
How the Fishdex™ worksWhat to throw for butterfly peacock bass
The lure classes that produce for butterfly peacock bass, drawn from the same species map Cobia reasons about. Each one opens a full page on what it is, when it works and how to fish it.
Which one, in which color and which weight, depends on the water in front of you today. That part is the app.
Butterfly Peacock Bass questions people ask
Butterfly Peacock Bass is Cichla ocellaris. Anglers also call it peacock bass, peacock, tucunare.
A typical butterfly peacock bass runs 14-22 inches. The IGFA all tackle world record stands at 12 lbs 9 oz. Cobia records the length and weight of every butterfly peacock bass you log and keeps your personal best on its Fishdex entry.
South Florida canals, lakes. Invasive species. Aggressive, structure-oriented. It is a fresh water species, filed under freshwater in the Fishdex.
The IGFA all tackle world record butterfly peacock bass weighed 12 lbs 9 oz.
Soft swimbaits and paddletails, crankbaits, topwater walkers and topwater poppers all produce. Which one, in which color and which weight, depends on the season, the water temperature and the tide on the day, which is the part Cobia works out against the lures you already own.
Yes. Log one through the Cobia Camera and this entry fills in with your own photo, your personal best, and the conditions on the day you caught it. The app also carries the slot limits and season dates for wherever you are standing. It is free.
Tomorrow morning starts tonight
Set your home water, pick a drive radius, and wake up to a plan.
Android coming soon
iPhone, iOS 17 or later. Setup takes about a minute.