Cichla vazzoleri
The peacock bass of the Uatumã and lower Trombetas, a sport fishing target on Balbina reservoir. In Amazonas, recreational anglers may only catch and release it.
Also called: tucunaré-vazzoleri, tucunaré
Described in 2006, Vazzoler's peacock bass belongs to the açu and pinima group, with rows of pale spots in juveniles and large females, and dark bars on adults. It lives in the Uatumã River, where Balbina reservoir is, and in the lower Trombetas. At Balbina it is targeted by commercial and recreational fishing; decades of fishing pressure have reduced stocks and fish size, which are larger and more numerous inside the Uatumã Biological Reserve. Females mature from about 27 cm standard length, and the species spawns several times a year, peaking from October to January.
Peacock bass body, with a black ocellus edged in pale at the base of the tail. In juveniles and large females, four horizontal rows of pale spots on the flank; in adults, black vertical bars with pale edges. Small scales and a lateral line that is almost always broken. Very similar to the açu and pinima peacock bass; the fishing area (Uatumã and Trombetas) helps tell them apart.
Loading the next 7 days…
Each card shows the day's index (0 to 100) and, below it, a strip with the index for each hour, from 0h to 23h. from poor to excellent.
Uatumã River, including Balbina reservoir (AM), and lower Trombetas River (PA).
Habitat: Submerged timber, snags, islands and shorelines of the reservoir; structured banks and beaches on the rivers.
native to the basins
states
Amazonas, Pará
famous destinations
The dry season (August to December) concentrates fish along the banks and in snags. Spawning runs from October to January, with pairs guarding their nests.
Daytime, with peaks at dawn and dusk. Active by day, peaking in the first hours after sunrise and in late afternoon.
Cold snaps shut down activity for one to three days.
Stable pressure helps; a quick drop before a storm gives a short peak.
Small effect.
A light drizzle doesn't matter; with a thunderstorm, get out of the water.
A falling reservoir concentrates fish on points and in snags.
Very sensitive to engine noise and hull knocks near cover.
Light chop helps surface lures; strong wind makes casting harder.
Shallow, 0.5 to 3 m; drops deeper when the sun heats up.
lures
accessories
Surface lure on the tips of snags early in the morning; in Amazonas do not use live bait for peacock bass.
Summary of the regulations we found, with the source for each. Rules change; before keeping or transporting fish, check with the state environmental agency.
Conservation: Not on the national list (Portaria GM/MMA 1.667/2026).
In Amazonas it is prohibited for recreational and sport anglers to kill Vazzoler's peacock bass: the fish must be returned alive. Commercial fishing of the species is also banned. The same law bans live bait in peacock bass fishing (art. 17).
Source: Lei estadual AM nº 6.647/2023, arts. 7º, 8º and 17, as amended by Lei nº 7.208/2024
Allowed: All fishing modalities are prohibited in rivers, including catch and release (Law 9.096/2009, art. 19-A). Exceptions: subsistence fishing from shore (3 kg or 1 fish, no transport or sale) and scientific fishing. Law 13.159/2025 now allows licensed sport fishing in UHE/PCH hydropower reservoirs, natural lakes and border rivers, subject to a scientific study and a license from the environmental agency. We have not confirmed whether these licenses are already being issued.
Allowed: The same recreational-angler exceptions as in Portaria 48/2007 apply (handline or rod, 5 kg + 1 fish), unless a stricter state rule applies.
Source: Portaria IBAMA nº 48/2007
Allowed: Recreational anglers with handline or rod, line and hook are outside the Annex II prohibitions, with a bag limit of 5 kg + 1 fish, unless a stricter state rule applies.
Source: Portaria IBAMA nº 48/2007
Allowed: Subsistence fishing only.
Source: Portaria IBAMA nº 48/2007
Allowed: See the exceptions in Portaria 48/2007 and the state rules for each bank.
Source: Portaria IBAMA nº 48/2007
Mandatory in Amazonas. Hold it by the mouth with a lip grip, support its belly, take a quick photo and release it next to the structure.
White, firm flesh, but in Amazonas anglers may not kill it.
Length-weight relationship W = a·Lb (a = 0.01122, b = 3.08; FishBase). It's an average: a fat or lean fish can vary by 10% to 20%.
estimated weight
—
The season weights (months), the time of day and the sensitivities (cold, pressure, moon, wind, rain, tide, strong light, murky water and noise) are the app's editorial estimates, based on the literature below and on the field experience of anglers and guides. They are not official data nor a measurement made for this species, and they may vary by region and year. Closed seasons and legal rules appear in the rules section, with the norm and a link.
Your location is saved only on this device and feeds the forecast, the map and the "today" on the home page.
