Orino Peacock Bass (Cichla Orinocensis)

Orinoco Peacock Bass (Cichla Orinocensis) is a Cichlid fish family which spread from the banks of the Amazon river, Rio Negro, Rio Orinoco and Rio branco. The rivers are located in Venezuela, Columbia and Brazil. Fish in the local language is often known by the name Borboleto, Taua and Pavon. Borboleto themselves in Portuguese means "butterfly", it confuses a lot of people between these species with Butterfly Peacock Bass (Cichla Ocellaris). UICN never did an investigation of all the species of peacock bass, so these fish are not in the red list and to date there are no reports that fish under threat.

TAXONOMY

Kingdom    : Animalia
phylum       : Chordata
Class          : Actinopterygii
order          : Perciformes
Family        : Cichlidae
genus         : Cichla
species       : Cichla orinocensis

 
Orinoco peacock bass is one of fifteen species of peacock bass have been discovered. As with any other fish peacock bass, this fish has a body color ranges from golden yellow to golden green scattered throughout the body. In addition, the lower body (abdomen) and reddish upper body (back) blue. The distinctive feature of the Orinoco peacock bass is a very clear three patterns are arranged vertically on either side of his body. With the ring-shaped pattern in striking black and silvery lines on the edges. Sometimes in these patterns are patterns of a smaller golden ring. At the head (cheek) there is no dark markings as found on Cichla temensis cousin. Orinoco peacock bass adapt to rapidly-moving environment by developing a slick body and pectoral fins and anal very strong. Fish that have a Latin name synonymous Cichla argus is famous for its fish anglers because fish has a large enough force while catching bait. Adult fish can have a body length of about 60 cm. The record fish could have been at 6.22 Kg body weight and occurred in Venezuela. Lately, Orinoco peacock bass also became popular as aquarium fish because of the beauty of the color of his body. The life span of these fish varied at around 8-12 years.

Orinoco peacock bass found living in various conditions in their natural habitat, they tend to inhabit shallow waters and fast-moving medium. But if you look at the condition of their natural habitat, these fish are also familiar with the fast-moving waters. The usual location is the favored fish around the coastline, ponds or dams and lagoon. One interesting thing is that when the fish are usually found in these waters Temensis Cichla.

For treatment at the aquarium, a small orinoco peacock bass need a sizeable tank. Requires at least one adult fish tank the size of 8'x3'x3 '. A smaller tank will make fishing a shortage of space to move around and the fish did not last long. Because the fish requires a lot of space, then the set up is nice just to put a little ornament. A large wooden trunk or aquatic plants that shade is recommended as a tank ornaments. These fish require good quality water that is a bit of pollutants and rich in oxygen. Filtration system either mechanical, chemical and biological must be strong so as to create sufficient water flow to make the fish more comfortable. In addition, strong filtration also aims to clean food debris and dirt in the tank. Setting the water in the tank with the temperature 27-290C, pH 5.5 to 6.5 and a hardness of 5-150H.

Orinoco peacock bass has the character of an aggressive and territorial. Therefore, it is better if the fish is kept alone in a tank. If the fish are kept with other fish, the size of tankmate is important to note. Tankmate be a big fish like a cichlid, catfish, stingray and arowana. Smaller Tankmate be eaten because it would be considered a food. Orinoco peacock bass can also be mixed with other types of peacock bass either one species or different species.

Orinoco peacock bass are carnivores (predators), in the wild she'd eat a variety of food in their ecosystems. The food tends to live animals such as small fish, worms, crustaceans, insects, shellfish (mussels) and amphibians. For maintenance in the aquarium, food supply should be conditioned as well as in the wild in the form of live food. Provision of food life should carefully considering the food of life are more likely to carry germs. Besides the food of life, some are also suitable for commercial food fish such as pellets, bloodworm, frozen foods and more.