![]() Originally introduced by scientists to combat Tilapia fish, an invasive species. Range/Distribution: Found in canals, streams, lakes in southern Florida. Please note, the taste of this fish is not generally accepted to be as good as largemouth bass, but then if you’re smothering it with toppings in fish tacos, nobody is going to know the difference. Weight: The average weight is around 2-4 lbs. These fish can grow to 12-14 inches in the first year and a half of life. Each inch of growth after 14 inches adds a lot of weight. Length: A 17-inch fish can weigh around 3 lbs. ![]() Males have a large bump (nucchal hump) on the head between the snout and dorsal fin while sexually active (usually April through September). A circle on the tail outlined in gold/orange is present in adults, not juveniles – which have another black band instead. Coloration is olive green, blue, orange and gold with 3-4 dark bands on the ventral (sides) surfaces. I don’t think this species is given much consideration in Florida because it was artificially introduced.ĭescription: The body is elongated with a very large mouth and the dorsal area between fins is well-defined. More and more people are finding out about and targeting this gamefish both in its native range and here in Florida, but the numbers are still good in their native range around French Guyana. The colors and patterns are completely different, and nobody would mistake one for the other.Ĭonservation Status: The IUCNRedlist (.org) site recently assessed the state of the species on 17 June 2019 and found it to be of least concern (LC). Similar Species: There is no other fish that resembles this bass with the exception of the largemouth bass in body morphology (general body shape). South Florida now has another amazing fish to catch because they multiplied quickly and thousands of anglers each year make them a target species.Ĭlick the map to see the PDF file showing the Canals near Miami that were stocked with Peacock Bass. So, mission accomplished, at least for the canals where they were first introduced. By now, these fish have also made it well into many lakes and ponds, and also the Everglades National Park. ![]() Here’s a map of the canal system in PDF format. Fish were released into the canals of the Southern Florida counties of Miami-Dade, Palm Beach, and Broward. It definitely has done that, consuming many juvenile tilapia before they reach adulthood. This species, the Butterfly Peacock Bass, is native to the Amazon River Basin in South America and in 1984 it was introduced to southern Florida waterways by biologists hoping it would take care of other destructive non-native fish like Tilapia. ![]() The nucchal hump above the eye of this Butterfly Peacock Bass is evident during spawning period April to September.Ĭlassification: Family Cichlidae. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |