Orinoco_peacock_bass
Cichla orinocensis
Species of fish
Cichla orinocensis, sometimes known as the Orinoco peacock bass,[2] tucunaré[1] or tucunaré miri,[2] is a very large species of cichlid. This peacock bass is native to the Rio Negro and Orinoco River basins in northern South America.[3] It mainly occurs in blackwater rivers.[4] Despite the name, it is not the only peacock bass in the Orinoco, as the river also is home to C. intermedia, C. nigromaculata, and C. temensis.[4] Where it overlaps with the last species, C. orinocensis prefers more slow-moving and shallow waters.[5] They are able to tolerate more turbid waters than other species of peacock bass.
It reaches up to about 62 cm (2 ft) in standard length.[3] Adults are easily recognized by the three large gold-edged dark spots on the side of their body (a fourth spot on the tail) and lack of dark markings on the operculum.[4][5]
A genetic study has indicated a clear divergence between the Orinoco and Rio Negro populations. If split, the Orinoco would retain the scientific name C. orinocensis.[6]
