Xingu Peacock Bass Cichla melaniae

The Xingu Peacock Bass is a cichlid that looks like a predatory bass, native to slow-moving waters of the lower reaches of South America's Xingu river system.

Like some other piscivorous peacock bass in other river systems, it is a robust fish with a few speckled markings and a white-bordered dark "eyespot" just before its two-tone orange and clear tail. There may be slight barring on the top (younger adults) and an orange glow on the lower half or even the whole body. It reaches some 36cm long.