Monoculus Peacock Bass Cichlid For Sale with Expedited Shipping | Mono Peacock Bass (Cichla monoculus)

Cichla monoculus, sometimes known as the tucanare peacock bass ("peacock bass" is also used for some of its relatives), is a very large species of cichlid, and a prized game fish. Peacock bass are important food fish and also considered game fish. This has resulted in their accidental (escapees from fish farms) or deliberate (release by fishers) introduction to regions outside their native range, both elsewhere in South America, and in warm parts of North America and Asia.

Traditionally, only five peacock bass were recognized, but in the review in 2006, nine new species were described and C. nigromaculata was revalidated. In general, the various species are similar in proportions and most meristics, but differ in colour pattern (and range). This is similar to other diurnal cichlids, where visual clues play an important role in the behavior, including breeding. The speckled or three-barred peacock bass (C. temensis) in particular has caused problems due to its extensive variation, but the speckled pattern has now been shown to be present in nonbreeders and the three-barred when breeding. Although minor variations are known from adults of other peacock bass species, none shows the extreme variation of the speckled/three-barred peacock bass. 

The Monoculus Peacock Bass is an unusual, little-known cichlid species native to freshwater drainages in Panama and Colombia. In the aquarium hobby, they are slowly gaining popularity for their unique appearance and behaviors.

These cichlids get their name from the presence of only a single eye, hence "monoculus." This distinctive feature results from a rare mutation that causes the lack of development of one eye during embryonic growth. Otherwise, monoculus peacocks appear similar to regular peacock bass.

Growing to about 24 inches in the wild, monoculus peacock bass exhibit vibrant colors ranging from golden yellow to ruby red accented by iridescent blue-green spots. Despite having just one functional eye, their hunting ability is not impaired. They eagerly accept live foods including feeder fish.

Monoculus peacocks are highly predatory but can be housed with robust, fast tank mates of comparable size. They require a large aquarium with driftwood, plants, and open swimming areas. While uncommon in the trade, the peculiar monoculus peacock bass makes an interesting oddball addition for the more advanced cichlid aquarist. Their unique appearance and behaviors are sure to spark curiosity.

Following a taxonomic review published in 2006, 15 Cichla species are recognized by FishBase:[16]

Cichla intermedia Machado-Allison, 1971 (royal peacock bass)
Cichla jariina S. O. Kullander & E. J. G. Ferreira, 2006 (Jari peacock bass)
Cichla kelberi S. O. Kullander & E. J. G. Ferreira, 2006 (kelberi peacock bass)
Cichla melaniae S. O. Kullander & E. J. G. Ferreira, 2006 (Xingu peacock bass)
Cichla mirianae S. O. Kullander & E. J. G. Ferreira, 2006 (Tapajós peacock bass)
Cichla monoculus Agassiz, 1831 (monoculus peacock bass, tucanare peacock bass)
Cichla nigromaculata Jardine & R. H. Schomburgk, 1843
Cichla ocellaris Bloch & J. G. Schneider, 1801 (butterfly peacock bass)
Cichla orinocensis Humboldt, 1821 (Orinoco peacock bass)
Cichla pinima S. O. Kullander & E. J. G. Ferreira, 2006 (spotted peacock bass)
Cichla piquiti S. O. Kullander & E. J. G. Ferreira, 2006 (blue peacock bass)
Cichla pleiozona S. O. Kullander & E. J. G. Ferreira, 2006
Cichla temensis Humboldt, 1821 (speckled pavon, speckled peacock bass, three-barred peacock bass)
Cichla thyrorus S. O. Kullander & E. J. G. Ferreira, 2006 (Trombetas peacock bass)
Cichla vazzoleri S. O. Kullander & E. J. G. Ferreira, 2006 (Vazzoler's peacock bass)

References

Peacock bass - Wikipedia
Monoculus Peacock bass - YouTube
monoculus and kelberi peacock bass - YouTube
Cichla monoculus (Tucanare Peacock Bass) — Seriously Fish
Monoculus Peacock Bass | WHOLESALE INDONESIA TROPICAL FISH
Lifelist Fishing – The pursuit of new fish species on hook
Peacock Bass Identification Guide: Cichla monoculus
Peacock bass - IPFS
Guide to Gamefish of the Amazon Basin: Other Peacock Bass