Mayan CichlidorButterfly Peacock Bass
Two fish anglers mix up. Here is what separates them, and what each one’s rules are in your state.
How to tell them apart
Mayan Cichlid
Olive with 5–7 dark vertical bars and a bright black-ringed spot at the tail base; red edges to the fins; South Florida canals and marshes.
Butterfly Peacock Bass
Golden with three dark vertical bars and a black eye-spot on the tail; a dark spot on the gill cover.
Butterfly peacock bass, next to mayan cichlid: golden with three bars.
Side by side
| Mayan Cichlid | Butterfly Peacock Bass | |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Mayaheros urophthalmus | Cichla ocellaris |
| Also called | Atomic sunfish | Peacock bass, Butterfly peacock |
| Waters | Inshore | Inshore |
| Heaviest state record | — | — |
| On the table | Good — mild white fillets. | Very good — like largemouth, firmer; South Florida canals. |
| Rules of its own in | 2 states | 2 states |
Rules for
Every state, both fish
The two fish are regulated differently in 2 of 2 states with a rule for either. In Florida (Atlantic), mayan cichlid is No size limit, Nonnative — no bag limit listed and butterfly peacock bass is Only one 17" or longer, 2 per person per day. Call the fish wrong and you keep a short one or throw back a legal one.
| State | Mayan Cichlid: size · bag · season | Butterfly Peacock Bass: size · bag · season |
|---|---|---|
| Florida (Atlantic) | No size limitNonnative — no bag limit listedYear-roundCheckFWC freshwater 2026 (eRegulations) · likely · checked | Only one 17" or longer2 per person per dayYear-roundOpenFWC freshwater 2026 (eRegulations) · checked |
| Florida (Gulf) | No size limitNonnative — no bag limit listedYear-roundCheckFWC freshwater 2026 (eRegulations) · likely · checked | Only one 17" or longer2 per person per dayYear-roundOpenFWC freshwater 2026 (eRegulations) · checked |
In the app
Point the camera at the fish and Chum names it before you take the picture, mayan cichlid or butterfly peacock bass, with the right rules for the water you’re standing in. No signal needed.
Get the appQuestions anglers ask
How do you tell mayan cichlid from butterfly peacock bass?
Mayan Cichlid: Olive with 5–7 dark vertical bars and a bright black-ringed spot at the tail base; red edges to the fins; South Florida canals and marshes. Butterfly Peacock Bass: Golden with three dark vertical bars and a black eye-spot on the tail; a dark spot on the gill cover. Butterfly peacock bass, next to mayan cichlid: golden with three bars.
Which is better to eat, mayan cichlid or butterfly peacock bass?
Mayan Cichlid: Good — mild white fillets. Butterfly Peacock Bass: Very good — like largemouth, firmer; South Florida canals.
Do mayan cichlid and butterfly peacock bass have the same limits?
Not everywhere. They differ in 2 state rulebooks. Florida (Atlantic): mayan cichlid No size limit, Nonnative — no bag limit listed, butterfly peacock bass Only one 17" or longer, 2 per person per day; Florida (Gulf): mayan cichlid No size limit, Nonnative — no bag limit listed, butterfly peacock bass Only one 17" or longer, 2 per person per day.