The Butterfly Peacock Bass is native to tropical America through much of the Amazon and Orinoco watersheds. While there are 4 distinct types of Peacock Bass, with the Butterfly being one of 3 we cover here, some fish biologists suggest that a dozen or more varieties might actually exist throughout South America. For us the biggest problem was differentiating the bass from each other.

Which Peacock is That?

Too many anglers mistakenly post a butterfly peacock bass as a speckled peacock bass and vice versa. For the purpose of accuracy on our site we have used many reference books which identify key markings on the fish and distinguishing color patterns that identify the different types of Peacock bass. We’ll go into the differences in more detail in each specific type of fishes’ features and size section.

Native to South America

While native to south and central America, the Peacock pavon, as it’s known in South America, has been introduced to many countries throughout the world.

 

In the 1950’s, the Butterfly Peacock Bass was introduced into modified canals and lakes in southern Florida, United States as part of an official state program. The butterfly peacock was also introduced to the waters of Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Malaysia, Panama, Singapore, Guam, Florida, Puerto Rico, Hawaii and the United States Virgin Islands.

 

Introducing the Butterfly Peacock Bass as a gaming fish into modified canals and lakes in southern Florida proved to be beneficial from an economic standpoint.

 

However their introduction into Lake Gutan in Panama produced undesirable results, drastically changing the composition of fish populations in that canal.

Dangers of Foreign Species Introduction

There have also been some complaints that the introduction of the Butterfly Peacock Bass and other varieties into Florida waters has decreased the numbers of other types of fish.

 

The Butterfly Peacock Bass has the ability to reproduce multiple times a year and is a voracious predator. These are the 2 most likely the reasons for the change in the environment.

 

On a positive note, the economic boom from the introduction has been beneficial to many residents and anglers in the state.

Names for the Butterfly Peacock Bass

Other names for the Butterfly Peacock Bass include the Butteryfly Pavon, pavon mariposa, pavon amarillo, pavon tres estrellas, marichapa in Spanish and tucunare in Portuguese.

 

To find out more on where to find Peacock Bass, click on this link.