Kelberi Peacock Bass - Cichla kelberi : Complete Fish Profile & Care Guide
Table of contents
Introduction
Kelberi Peacock Bass (Cichla kelberi) occupies a unique ecological and geographical position within the diverse ecosystem of the Brazilian Amazon. Renowned for its vivid pigmentation and adept predatory behaviour, this species garners attention from academic researchers and recreational fish enthusiasts alike. Its capacity to adapt to the distinct aquatic conditions of its native environment underscores its biological and ecological significance. As an aquaristic specimen, the Kelberi Peacock Bass is one of the more diminutive variants within its genus, conducive to both solitary and communal living arrangements in captivity. When housed in collectives, these fish naturally establish a social hierarchy that tends to mitigate intraspecific aggression post-dominance establishment.
Ideal for aquarium life, the Kelberi Peacock Bass's stature renders it compatible with a wider array of cohabitants compared to its larger congeners. However, prospective aquarists must consider the predatory nature of this species when selecting tank mates, as it is inclined to ingest any fish or organism small enough to be overpowered and consumed. Suitable aquatic companions for the Kelberi Peacock Bass comprise various robust species that can coexist harmoniously within the same environmental parameters. These include congeneric Cichla species, majestic Arowanas, robust Red Terror Cichlids, the vigorous Tiger Shovelnose Catfish, gregarious Silver Dollars, resilient Tinfoil Barbs, the elegant Royal Clown Knifefish, and the tranquil Freshwater Stingrays.
In replicating the native conditions of the Peacock Bass, it is imperative to maintain high water quality with minimal contaminants and ample dissolved oxygen. Aquaria housing these fish should be equipped with robust filtration systems and moderate to vigorous water circulation. The species exhibits a degree of tolerance to lower oxygen saturation, likely a trait adapted from residing in the slower-moving tributaries of its indigenous region.
The aquarium housing Kelberi Peacock Bass must be outfitted with filtration systems robust enough to handle the byproducts of their substantial feeding habits. As for habitation requirements, adult Kelberi Peacock Bass, which range from 10 to 18 inches in length, necessitate spacious enclosures, optimally of 800 litres or more. Juveniles may be temporarily accommodated in smaller volumes provided they are transitioned to larger environments with growth. The interior design of their habitat should balance open swimming spaces with strategically placed structures such as driftwood, vegetation, and rocks to simulate natural cover atop a sandy or gravel substrate.
The Kelberi Peacock Bass is characterized by an olive-gold body, light speckling on its fins and a series of dark vertical bands along its flanks. Mature individuals may also display an occipital bar. Dominant or breeding males are distinguished by their golden hue, accentuated with black vertical bands and a greenish head devoid of black spots. A notable dark grey nuchal hump further signifies their status. Conversely, females in breeding conditions exhibit a lighter golden colouration with a distinct yellow on the cheek and gill covers, complemented by a pale ventral colouration.
Kelberi Peacock Bass Photos
Sexual Dimorphism
The most definitive method to ascertain the sex of a mature Kelberi Peacock Bass involves the inspection of the genital papilla, which is a diminutive, slit-like protuberance situated between the anal and ventral fins. The genital papilla of males typically presents as a pointed, V-shaped structure, whereas females possess a more pronounced, rounded, U-shaped genitalia. Accurate identification using this technique necessitates a degree of proficiency and is best conducted on larger specimens, generally those exceeding 6 to 7 inches in length.
While some aquarists may refer to the presence of a nuchal hump, a prominent growth of tissue on the forehead of adult specimens as an indicator of gender, this characteristic alone is not a reliable sex determinant. This is due to the fact that the nuchal hump can also manifest in females, particularly during the reproductive season, leading to potential misidentification. Therefore, reliance on the morphological examination of the genital papilla remains the most accurate approach for sexing Kelberi Peacock Bass.
Quick Facts
| Scientific Name | Cichla kelberi |
|---|---|
| Year Described | 2006 |
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Classification | Actinopterygii |
| Order | Cichliformes |
| Family | Cichlidae |
| Genus | Cichla |
| Origins | Brazil |
| Max Size | 50 cm |
| Temperament | Semi-Aggressive |
| Aquarium Level | Middle |
| Difficulty | Intermediate - Advanced |
| Shoaling | No |
| Best kept as | Loners |
| Diet & Feeding | Omnivore |
| Reproduction | Egg Depositor |
| Average Lifespan | Up to 15 Years |
Water Parameters
| Water Type | Freshwater |
|---|---|
| pH | 6.0 - 7.5 |
| GH | 5 - 15 |
| ℉ | 76 - 84 |
|---|---|
| ℃ | 24 - 29 |
Natural Habitat
The Kelberi Peacock Bass is an indigenous species confined to the Rio Araguaia and the lower Rio Tocantins drainages within the Brazilian Amazon biome. These habitats are characterized by comparatively subdued fluvial currents and reduced water volume in relation to the principal channels of the Amazon River, which are known to host a variety of larger congeners.
The narrower, more tranquil, and extensively vegetated aquatic landscapes within these regions have presumably exerted significant evolutionary pressure on the Kelberi Peacock Bass. Such environmental conditions have likely favoured the development of a more diminutive morphology within this species, optimizing its predation strategies through enhanced ambush capabilities in its native ecosystem.
Breeding
Securing a breeding population of Kelberi Peacock Bass typically involves procuring a cohort of six or more juveniles, thus allowing natural pairing behaviours to manifest over time. Identifying a mated pair within the marketplace can present challenges; hence, this method of in-situ pairing is often preferred. As the juveniles mature, selection based on optimal colouration and gender is recommended, with subsequent separation of a compatible pair for reproductive purposes.
A specialized breeding environment is essential for encouraging spawning, necessitating a minimum of an 1100-litre aquarium with a simplistic bare-bottom design to facilitate maintenance and observation. A sizeable slate rock should be provided within the tank to serve as an attractive spawning substrate. It is advisable to isolate the breeding pair to eliminate any external stressors that may impede the reproductive process.
Maintaining pristine water conditions is paramount, and this is achieved through rigorous water change routines involving 50 to 60% weekly replacements. The breeding pair will exhibit preparatory behaviour by cleaning the chosen spawning site. Substrates such as sand or gravel may be manipulated by the fish, creating depressions for egg deposition and subsequent fry nurture.
Dietary conditioning with high-protein foods, such as feeder fish, primes the pair for spawning. Observations of spawning readiness should prompt an intensive water change regimen, specifically, daily 30% changes over three consecutive days, followed by a significant water change that induces a slight temperature decrease, which often acts as a spawning catalyst.
Post-spawning management includes the transference of eggs to a separate 90-litre rearing tank equipped solely with a sponge filter to maintain cleanliness and gentle water flow. It is common for only a small fraction of the 2,000 to 3,000 eggs laid to reach viability, predominantly due to incomplete fertilization. Unfertilized eggs, identifiable by their bright white or yellow hue and susceptibility to fungal infections, may be deterred by the judicious application of methylene blue to the hatchery water.
The incubation period for Kelberi Peacock Bass eggs typically spans around 60 hours, with fry reaching free-swimming status between the seventh and tenth day, subsisting initially on their nutritive yolk sacs. Upon the exhaustion of their endogenous reserves, the fry should be fed with freshly hatched brine shrimp. It is imperative to maintain exemplary water quality during this delicate phase, which entails frequent water changes of 15 to 20% daily.
Diet & Feeding
In their native riverine habitats, the Kelberi Peacock Bass exhibit an omnivorous diet, consuming a diverse array of live prey such as insects, piscine species, annelids, crustaceans, and amphibians. Within the confines of an aquarium, these fish demonstrate a willingness to accept a similar spectrum of live feed; however, aquarists often aim to transition them to a diet of prepared foods. Therefore, enthusiasts typically acclimate their Peacock Bass to accept a selection of commercially available foods, streamlining the care process and mitigating the risks associated with live dietary provisions.
Despite this, it is not unusual for fish keepers to occasionally indulge their Peacock Bass with live prey to stimulate the fish's natural hunting instincts and observe their dynamic predatory behaviours. Optimal prepared dietary options for the Peacock Bass encompass a range of items, including worms, pelleted formulations, food sticks, and frozen protein-rich selections such as krill and silversides.
Additionally, these fish are amenable to consuming various types of inanimate protein sources, such as raw shrimp, prawns, and fish fillets. Preferences can vary widely among individual Kelberi Peacock Bass, with some exhibiting less discerning appetites while others may exhibit selective feeding habits. It is imperative for the aquarist to observe and cater to these preferences to ensure optimal health and vigour in their specimens.
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