Butterfly Peacock Bass
Cichla ocellaris
Also called Peacock bass, Butterfly peacock.
How to tell it
Golden with three dark vertical bars and a black eye-spot on the tail; a dark spot on the gill cover.
Rules for
Every state
| State | Size | Bag | Season | Today |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Florida (Atlantic) | Only one 17" or longer | 2 per person per day | Year-roundFWC freshwater 2026 (eRegulations) · checked | Open |
| Florida (Gulf) | Only one 17" or longer | 2 per person per day | Year-roundFWC freshwater 2026 (eRegulations) · checked | Open |
Not specifically regulated in Alabama, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia: each state’s rule for unlisted species applies there (on its page).
On the table
Very good — like largemouth, firmer; South Florida canals.
In the app
Point the camera at a butterfly peacock bass and the name appears before you take the picture, with these rules for the water you’re standing in. No signal needed, and every catch goes in the log.
Get the appQuestions anglers ask about butterfly peacock bass
What is the size limit for butterfly peacock bass?
It depends on the state. Florida (Atlantic): Only one 17" or longer; Florida (Gulf): Only one 17" or longer.
How many butterfly peacock bass can you keep?
Florida (Atlantic): 2 per person per day; Florida (Gulf): 2 per person per day.