Cichla orinocensis, sometimes known as the Orinoco peacock bass,[1] tucunaré or tucunaré miri,[1] is a very large species of cichlid. This peacock bass is native to the Rio Negro and Orinoco River basins in northern South America. 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.
It reaches up to about 62abbr=onNaNabbr=on in standard length. 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]