Transcript PEACOCK BASS BY: ERICA WHITE

• There are five known species of peacock bass.
• The Peacock Bass is an exotic species that is originate
and thrive in South American waters.
• The range of the peacock also has grown to include
south Florida, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Panama and Costa
Rica.
• Over 20,000 Peacock Bass were released to help control
the growing population of exotic fishes.
• Peacock Bass are very sensitivity to cold, and they have
been successfully stock in South Florida.
• The FWC stock peacock bass in south florida because the canals
were being overrun with stunted spotted tilapia, and urban anglers
had few opportunities to catch a decent sport fish.
• Native predators could not control the illegally introduced exotic
tilapia population; the natural ecosystem was lost without hope of
recovery, and tilapia were of limited value to people.
• Such introductions are normally more damaging than helpful,
because of the risk the exotic will displace native fishes.
• That’s where butterfly peacock and south Florida canals become a
perfect match.
• Fisheries scientists are opposed to introductions
of exotic fishes that have not been thoroughly
studied.
• Peacock Bass cannot survive any further north
than Broward County or they can experience
natural die off.
• They grow very fast reaching a pound or more in
size their first year, so you can imagine how
much they have eaten to grow that fast!
Description
• Their body shapes is
similar to that of a
largemouth bass.
• It is very colorful.
• The peacock bass is
not actually a member
of the bass family.
• A peacock bass is
actually from the
cichlids family of fish.
Florida Peacock
Bass
Largemouth Bass
HABITAT
• Successful in warm, slow flowing canals,
ponds, lakes, deep rock pits, and lateral
canals; frequently found in shady areas
around bridges, culverts, canal
intersections, bends, dead ends, and near
fallen trees; spawns and often feeds in
shallow water adjacent shorelines with
overhanging vegetation; cannot tolerate
water temperatures below 60oF or
salinities greater than 18 ppt.
Seasons
• Florida Peacock Bass fishing is a year
around fishery. You can plan a trip to go
fishing anytime of the year.
• But if you want to catch a large peacock
bass the best time is between February
and the end of June.
• Also between late September and
December or until the first cold front.
SPAWNING HABITS
• Typically spawn from April through
September with a peak in May and June;
both adults prepare a flat, hard surface
near shore, then lay between 4,000 and
10,000 eggs; young are guarded by both
parents, sometimes for several months;
males commonly develop a ‘nucchal’
hump on foreheads when reproductively
active.
FEEDING HABITS
• Feed almost exclusively on fish; tend to
use great speed to capture prey; typically
feeds only during daylight hours; this fish
has helped reduce the number of
undesirable exotic fishes, especially the
spotted tilapia.
AGE AND GROWTH
• Grow rapidly to 12-14 inches during the first 1618 months, after which they become much
heavier with each inch they add in length. A 17inch fish will weigh approximately three pounds
while a 19-inch fish will weigh up to five
pounds. The largest butterfly peacock caught in
Florida weighed 12.0 pounds and measured
25.5 inches, but this fish was not submitted for a
state record. It is not known how long they live,
but preliminary data suggests about six years.
• Most shallow areas
have some
vegetations, and such
spots may hold a few
smaller peacocks.
• The best areas is in
deeper water; thickest
bush or tree in a
bunch is the best spot
to catch big
peacocks.
• Water conditions is critical when fishing for
peacocks.
• In most South American tributaries, waters
are clear and dark.
• The fast the water level rises affects the
ability to catch peacocks.
• High water makes it more difficult to catch
peacocks.
• Exotic fishes are those that come from other
parts of the world and did not evolve in Florida.
• Most exotics are undesirable--a form of aquatic
pollution. Having few natural predators,
parasites or diseases, exotics often out compete
natives and significantly damage ecosystems.
• It is illegal to release exotic fishes into any public
Florida water.