Speckled pavon
📖 Overview
Adults occupy deeper littoral areas in lagoons and sandy and rocky banks of the main river channel. They feed mainly on small fish (especially characids measuring
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Diagnosis: A large, elongate species with small scales (E1 row scales 98-128, usually more than 110, vs. usually less than 110 in other species of Cichla). Postorbital band is present, entire, may be irregular but does not consist of scattered spots, vs. absent or present as scattered spots in other species of Cichla species. Lateral line is usually continuous. It is most similar to C. pinima and C. vazzoleri, sharing subadult to young adult color pattern including dark midlateral band and four rows of regularly arranged light spots along side, but light spots slightly elongate instead of round. It is different from C. pinima and C. vazzoleri in lacking dark lateral blotches with intensified light margins; vertical bars when expressed entire, never forming round blotches; ocellated blotches on dorsal side absent at all sizes; postorbital band entire (vs. expressed as scattered dark blotches); dark blotch associated with preopercle absent (present in C. vazzoleri); lateral line nearly always continuous (vs. usually discontinuous in C. vazzoleri) .: fusiform / normal.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Speckled pavon is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
Diet information for Speckled pavon is currently being compiled.
🥚 Reproduction
Oviparous .
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Freshwater; benthopelagic; pH range: 5.5 - 6.5; non-migratory . Tropical; 27°C - 29°C South America: Amazon River basin in the Negro and Uatumã River drainages; Orinoco River basin in tributaries of the Orinoco River in Venezuela and Colombia.
🌿 Ecology
small fish (especially characids measuring
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🍽️ Edibility & Flavour
"Speckled pavon is an edible species."
- Clear, bright eyes — cloudy eyes indicate age
- Firm flesh that springs back when pressed
- Fresh ocean smell, never strong or ammonia-like
- Bright red or pink gills, not grey or brown
- Shiny, moist skin with scales tightly attached
- Cloudy or sunken eyes
- Strong fishy or ammonia odour
- Soft, mushy flesh that doesn't spring back
- Discoloured or dry flesh
⚡ Nutrition
Detailed nutritional data for Speckled pavon is currently being compiled from USDA FoodData Central.
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for Speckled pavon has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.
🌿 Sustainability
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
| Language | Common Names |
|---|---|
| 🇬🇧English | American Giant Cichlid · Painted Pavon · Speckled Peacock Bass · Speckled Pike-cichlid · Striped tucunare · Three-barred peacock bass · speckled pavon |
| 🇩🇰Danish | Sommerfuglecichla |
| 🇩🇪German | Humboldt-Kammbarsch |
| 🇫🇮Finnish | helmikikla |
| 🇵🇹Portuguese | Tucunaré · Tucunaré açú · Tucunaré comum · paca-açu |
| 🇷🇺Russian | Гигантский павлиний окунь |
| 🇪🇸Spanish | Cíclido Pavorreal Pintado · Pavón |
| 🌍THA | ปลาหมอเทเมนซิส |
Scientific Synonyms
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cichla atabapensis | Humboldt | 1821 | Synonym |
| Cichla tucunare | Heckel | 1840 | Synonym |
| Cichla unitaeniatus | Magalhaes | 1931 | Synonym |
| Cychla flavomaculata | Jardine & Schomburgk | 1843 | Synonym |
| Cychla trifasciata | Jardine & Schomburgk | 1843 | Synonym |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 2 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
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