Cichla orinocensis | |
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Adult above, juvenile below | |
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Actinopterygii |
Order: | Cichliformes |
Family: | Cichlidae |
Genus: | Cichla |
Species: | C. orinocensis
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Binomial name | |
Cichla orinocensis
Humboldt, 1821
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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]