Peacock Bass Size and Color Explained

I've been getting a lot of questions regarding the differences in size and color of the Peacock Bass I catch so I wanted to take a minute to explain.  There are many reasons for discrepancies in size and color in many fish and animals- male vs. female is usually a favorite but not when it comes to the peacock bass.

The main reason for differences in size and color is maturity.  Let's start with size... 

Peacock bass have two distinct growth phases.  The juvenile phase is centered on length with 12-16" of growth in their first two years.  Then the adult growth phase concentrates on girth.  Basically, a 17" fish will weigh about 3 pounds while a 19" bass will weigh around 5 pounds and so on.  Now for color...

As juveniles peacock bass have a bright olive green body with three vertical black stripes not to mention their signature black eye on their caudal fin.  As they mature, their stripes will diminish and in some cases out right disappear.  Their body color can also lighten to a more yellowish green color.

So there you have it.  Peacock bass size and color is determined by maturity and in case you're wondering it's very hard to tell male from female except during mating season when males develop a pronounced hump on their forehead.  If you have any other peacock bass or fishing questions please do not hesitate to ask the Laughing Pescador!

 

19 Inch 4 1/2 Pound Peacock Bass- vertical black almost gone and yellowish green color setting in

16 Inch Peacock Bass- vertical black stripes starting to disappear since it is close to maturity