Male peacock bass develop a distinct fatty lump on the top of their heads during breeding season (this subsides after spawning).  Scientists have shown that Cichla deposit fat in several locations prior to spawning. It is likely that this particular fatty deposit is an honest visual measure of condition, signaling reproductive suitability to femalses. There is much speculation as to possible additional purposes of this growth.  It has been postulated that it may provide a material utilized as a food source by the peacock's fry for a period after hatching.  It has also been suggested that the male peacock's

nuchal hump may disperse a chemical marker that keeps the young close to the adult.  In clear or still water, one can often see tightly-packed clouds of peacock fry swarming about the head of their protective father, who provides the bulk of the fry rearing and protecting effort. 

Although body coloration and markings vary greatly, in any color phase, this fish has an unmistakable mottled patch directly behind its eye.  Three vertical black bars are usually visible (intensity varies from fish to fish) beginning behind the pectoral fin and ending underneath the soft portion of the dorsal fin.  Often, the previously mentioned lateral white spots are also faintly present.  On rare occasions, there are neither black bars nor horizontal stripes/spots, however, the mottled patch directly behind the eye remains a distinct identifying characteristic.  C. Temensis is found primarily in the Amazon lowlands on tributaries draining into the Rio Negro, Rio Branco and Rio Madeira basins.  Some of the largest specimens have been encountered in the Rio Negro tributaries of Brazil.