Cichla orinocensis

Cichla orinocensis, sometimes known as the Orinoco peacock bass, is a very large species of cichlid. This peacock bass is native to the Rio Negro and Orinoco River basins in northern South America.[1] It mainly occurs in blackwater rivers.[2] Despite the name, it is not the only peacock bass in the Orinoco, as the river also is home to C. intermedia, C. nigromaculata, and C. temensis.[2] Where it overlaps with the last species, C. orinocensis prefers more slow-moving and shallow waters.[3] They are able to tolerate more turbid waters than other species of peacock bass.

Cichla orinocensis
Adult above, juvenile below
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Actinopterygii
Order:	Cichliformes
Family:	Cichlidae
Genus:	Cichla
Species:	C. orinocensis
Binomial name
Cichla orinocensis Humboldt, 1821

It reaches up to about 62 cm (2 ft) in standard length.[1] Adults are easily recognized by the three large gold-edged dark spots on the side of their body (a fourth spot on the tail) and lack of dark markings on the operculum.[2][3]

A genetic study has indicated a clear divergence between the Orinoco and Rio Negro populations. If split, the Orinoco would retain the scientific name C. orinocensis.[4]