The largest peacock bass in the world are found only in the Amazon basin.  Anglers seeking true trophy size peacocks should be aware that the fisheries for these oversized lure smashers exist only in equatorial Brazil, Venezuela and Columbia. Of the 15 currently recognized species of peacock bass, Cichla temensis is by far the largest, commonly reaching weights well over 20-pounds. But it isn't found everywhere. This giant peacock bass cannot thrive in waters that don't maintain a minimum temperature of 72 degrees.  It is therefore essentially restricted to tributaries of the Rio Negro, Rio Orinoco, Rio Branco and some tributaries of the Rio Madeira. You won't find them in Peru or Bolivia or Florida or anywhere else.   While several other species of peacock bass, notably the much smaller Cichla ocellaris and Cichla monoculus, have been succesfully transplanted to Florida, Puerto Rico, Panama and Hawaii, the giant Cichla temensis has, so far, been unable to survive outside of its native Amazonia (with the exception of Lake Guri, in Venezuela).

    Giant Amazonian peacocks, called tucunare in Brazil and pavon in Venezuela and Columbia, can be identified by the black markings on their gill plates, absent in the other species that anglers typically encounter in their Amazon lowlands range. Cichla temensis'  body markings can vary significantly even within the same population on the same river.  Markings range from a yellow-gold background with 3 distinct vertical stripes to an olive-green or brown body with white horizontal bars depending, on the individual specimen's reproductive status.  C. Temensis spawners will display brilliant blue and red fin colors in addition to the bright gold body.  Perhaps the single most enjoyable identifier, however, is the nerve jarring crash when a giant peacock bass explodes all over your bait.