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Information Central (c) Larry Larsen Native Range and Imports
 Peacock bass
originate and thrive in the same South American waters of two dreaded species: the piranha and the powerful payara. The blood-hungry piranha grow to five or six pounds and the devilish saber-toothed payara
maxes out at over 30. Any fish that can hold its own where these and other hellacious predators live has to be tough. Peacock bass are among the 1,800 other species that have been cataloged from the Amazon home waters.
The natural range of the peacock bass is the Amazon, Orinoco and Rio Negro basins, a latitudinal range of about 28 degrees or over 1800 miles. They are adaptable and in fact,
have been introduced into many waters around the world.
Fortunately, the range of the peacock bass has grown
substantially. Today, you can fish for them in three places - Florida, Hawaii and Puerto Rico - without even needing a passport. The fish can be found in Panama, and I'm told by good authority, Costa Rica
in Central America. The biggest of these bruisers, though, still live in South America. Venezuela, Brazil and Colombia harbor the most giant peacocks, and other countries, such as Guyana, Surinam, French
Guiana, Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia, have waters that contribute to the massive Amazon watershed which abounds with peacock bass.
Peacock bass have been introduced in reservoirs in southeast Brazil and in the Pantanal region in
areas outside the Amazonas. Some noteworthy spots in southern Brazil include Rio Piqueiri, Lago Itumbiara, Rio Paranaiba, Lago Sao Simao, Lago Agua Vermelha, Ilha Solteira, Furnas, Marimbondo
and Volt Grande. Gray bar peacocks up to 10 pounds are taken from the submerged timber in Lake Itumbiara, but strong winds can sometimes affect fishing.
Fishing for schools of small yellow peacocks takes place during the winter in clear water weedbeds
mid-way up the Agua Vermelha. Lago Sao Simao lies on the Paranaiba River above the intersection of the Grande River which together forms the Parana River. Blue peacock and yellow peacock are taken
there from deep structures and weedbeds.
Friend Ron Looi, who has the "Peacock Bass Page" on the internet, was partially responsible for
their introduction into several small ponds in Malaysia. He reports that peacocks have been bred for the aquarium trade for years in Taiwan and Indonesia. One reservoir in Singapore has been stocked
perhaps unintentionally with peacock, according to Looi.
Bolivia, one of the last frontiers left in South America, may provide a new opportunity for peacock
bass chasers. One outfitter is establishing operations on the Itenez River in Bolivia north of Santa Cruz. They have an area with both peacock and golden dorado that I'm anxious to try.
Another area that I'm anxious to try is Guyana's Highland rivers and Savannah lakes. The
Essequibo and its major tributary, the Rupununi, are black water rivers with head waters in the Guyana Highlands along the borders with Brazil and Venezuela. The sandy-bottomed streams flow through the
Rupununi savannahs where several blackwater natural lakes provide excellent fishing for peacock bass (called "lukunani" here). A few ranches in the area provide very rustic guest facilities, meals, boat and
motor and local Amerindian guides at very reasonable prices.
The Essequibo and its tributaries, like the Rewa, offer a variety of species in like sizes, along with
excellent giant payara fishing, pacu, piranha, imara, bicuda, surubim, matrinxa and sardinata. A motorized float trip with primitive tent camping is offered by one outfitter. There are very few lagoons,
so fishing is primarily in the rivers and below the numerous rapids and small falls. Click here for a great
map of the Amazon Region, or for help with domestic air tickets or hotels on your way in or out of your destination
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