Golden Kelberi Peacock Bass

fish description – Golden Kelberi Peacock Bass Care Guide ($Cichla\ kelberi$ ‘Golden’ Strain)

Category	Detail
Scientific Name	$Cichla\ kelberi$ (‘Golden’ Strain)
Common Name	Golden Kelberi Peacock Bass, Kelberi Bass
Origin	Rivers and tributaries of Eastern Brazil (Tocantins River)
Adult Size	14–18 inches (35–45 cm) (Smaller than many other $Cichla$ species)
Temperament	Semi-aggressive, Highly Predatory, Territorial
Lifespan	10–15 years
Care Level	Intermediate to Advanced (due to size and aggression)

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Appearance and Sexual Differences

 

• Short Description: A robust, elongated cichlid with a large mouth and a beautiful metallic golden-yellow to deep gold body color. Juveniles have distinct dark stripes and often small light spots on the fins, which are replaced by an iridescent gold sheen in adulthood. It has the characteristic eyespot (ocellus) near the tail base.
• Coloration: Brilliant gold/yellow base color. Males grow slightly larger and may develop a subtle nuchal hump (forehead growth) when mature. Sexing is difficult outside of spawning.
• Fins: Proportional, often with small light spots and sometimes a reddish hue.
• Behavior: A highly active and powerful predator. They are less aggressive than the massive C. temensis but are still highly territorial, especially when breeding. They are capable of explosive burst swimming.

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Tank Requirements and Water Parameters

 

• Minimum Tank Size: 180 gallons (680 liters) is the absolute minimum for a single adult. 300 gallons or larger is recommended for a small group or community setting. The tank should be very long and wide.
• Schooling: Best kept singly or in a small group (3–5 juveniles) and allowed to pair off naturally. Aggression can be an issue in small groups of non-paired adults.
• Temperature: Tropical range: $76^\circ$–$84^\circ\text{F}\ (24^\circ$–$29^\circ\mathrm{C})$ (stability is crucial).
• pH Level: Slightly acidic to neutral water: 6.0 to 7.5. They are high waste producers and require massive filtration and regular, large water changes (30–50% weekly) to control high nitrates. Water flow should be moderate to strong.
• Aquascape: Keep simple. Requires vast open swimming space with a soft sand substrate or bare bottom. Decorate sparingly with large, securely anchored driftwood and rocks. Avoid live plants as they will be uprooted and destroyed. A secure, heavy lid is mandatory.

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Diet and Feeding

 

The Golden Kelberi Peacock Bass is a strict carnivore/piscivore.

• Staple Diet: Should be fed a protein-rich diet. Offer high-quality large sinking pellets or sticks formulated for carnivorous cichlids (training to accept pellets is crucial for a balanced diet).
• Supplementation: Feed live or frozen meaty foods regularly: Krill, Prawns (Market Shrimp), Chopped Fish Fillet, and Earthworms. Avoid fatty meats and feeder fish unless rigorously quarantined.
• Schedule: Juveniles should be fed 2–3 times daily; large adults only need feeding once daily or every other day. They are voracious and should consume food quickly; remove uneaten food promptly.

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Compatibility

 

• Caution: Extremely aggressive and predatory. Will eat any fish it can fit in its mouth (tank mates should be at least half the size of the Bass). Aggression increases with maturity.
• Good Tank Mates: Only suitable with fish that are too large to be eaten and can hold their own. Examples include Large Arowanas, Bichirs, Datnoids, Large Catfish (e.g., Plecos, Synodontis), and other large, robust South American Cichlids (Oscars, Jaguars, etc.). Tank mates are always a risk.