Peacock perch - Centrarchus macropterus - 6-8 cm

With its appearance, the peacock perch immediately catches the eye. Scientifically called Centrarchus macropterus (LACÉPÈDE, 1801) , the biotope fish actually comes from South America and belongs to the sunfishes, the so-called Centrarchidae. Sometimes it is also called "peacock-eyed sunfish".  With its great appearance, it is a pretty pond and aquarium inhabitant.

It has the typical perch high back with flattened sides. In the basic color it is greenish to brown, but sometimes also orange. A black conspicuous spot can be found on its gill cover, also there are black-orange edged eye spots on the fin base of its dorsal fin, which gave it its name.

It is said to have a final size of 30 centimeters, which it will probably not reach in the aquarium. This should contain at least  500 liters and can be equipped with a fine sand as a substrate. Wooden roots and stones can be used to create a visual screen and to mark the territory.  Basically the pretty perches prefer a very good water hygiene, also in the aquarium the water should therefore be changed regularly and treated well with a filter. The pH value may be between 7 and 7.5, the total hardness between 5-15 °dGH. Occasionally the peacock perch are quite skittish, so the aquarium should be well covered to prevent them from accidentally jumping out. The water temperature should not exceed 28 °C permanently.

At about one year of age, peacock perch are sexually mature and usually herald the spawning season from the end of March, or when the water temperatures reach between 16 and 20 °C. The males dig troughs in the bottom where the female lays her eggs. The male takes over the brood care and fans the clutch to supply it with oxygen. Once the young swim free, he ceases the protective role. Initially, the young fish stay mainly in fine plants or at the edge of the bank and can be fed with dust food, but also with infusoria or nauplii. In the pond, however, they are easy prey for waterfowl, so overpopulation is unlikely.

The carnivorous peacock perch feeds mainly on insects, larvae and leeches in the pond. Therefore it should rather not be socialized with invertebrates. From time to time they also feed on the offspring of other fish. With a flake food for pond fish they can be fed simply and easily, but occasionally they can also be spoiled with live and frozen food, such as we carry in the store.