Peacock Bass
Cichla ocellaris
Family: Cichlidae • Origin: Various
Peacock Bass (Cichla ocellaris) is a aggressive cichlid reaching 24 inches. Can be kept singly. Minimum tank: 125 gallons.
Min Tank
125 gal
Max Size
24"
Temperature
75-82°F
pH
6.5-7.5
Lifespan
20 years
School Size
Solo OK
Swim Level
middle
Hardness
5-15 dGH
aggressiveexpertcarnivore
Care Tips
- • Max size: 24"
- • Temp: 75-82°F
- • pH: 6.5-7.5
- • Can be kept alone
- • aggressive temperament
Feeding: Standard carnivore diet for Cichlidae.
Compatibility Notes: Typical aggressive Cichlidae species.
Tank Setup & Water Parameters
Tank Requirements
- Minimum Tank Size
- 125 gallons
- Recommended Tank Size
- 188 gallons
- Swimming Level
- middle
Water Parameters
- Temperature
- 75–82°F
- pH Range
- 6.5–7.5
- Hardness (dGH)
- 5–15
- Water Type
- freshwater
Behavior & Temperament
- Temperament
- aggressive
- Aggression Level
- 4/5
- Schooling
- No
- Territorial
- Yes
- Fin Nipper
- No
- Predatory
- Yes
- Diet Type
- carnivore
- Growth Rate
- fast
Typical aggressive Cichlidae species.
Breeding
- Breeding Type
- egg layer
- Breeding Difficulty
- difficult
- Lifespan
- 20 years
Ideal For
125 gallon
Compatible Tank Mates
View all →
Serpae Tetra
Hyphessobrycon eques
72-82°FpH 6-7.520+ gal
semi-aggressiveschooling 6+1.75"
Betta Fish
Betta splendens
76-82°FpH 6.5-7.55+ gal
semi-aggressive3"
Dwarf Gourami
Trichogaster lalius
72-82°FpH 6-7.510+ gal
semi-aggressive3.5"
Tiger Barb
Puntigrus tetrazona
74-82°FpH 6-7.520+ gal
semi-aggressiveschooling 6+3"
Angelfish
Pterophyllum scalare
76-84°FpH 6-7.530+ gal
semi-aggressive6"
Cockatoo Dwarf Cichlid
Apistogramma cacatuoides
72-82°FpH 6-7.520+ gal
semi-aggressive3.5"
Similar Species
Oscar
Astronotus ocellatus
74-81°FpH 6-875+ gal
aggressive14"
Frontosa
Cyphotilapia frontosa
75-82°FpH 8-9125+ gal
semi-aggressiveschooling 5+14"
Tropheus Moorii
Tropheus moorii
77-82°FpH 8-920+ gal
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Redeye Piranha
Serrasalmus rhombeus
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