Peacock... Speckled or butterfly?

[vsyogi]

So there's a lake by my house that has peacock bass. I'm kind of confused because I keep hearing that there are no speckled PBass left in florida. I have seen photos of speckled and im pretty sure i've caught a few. Well here's a photo of one I caught the other day.

What do you guys think, am i right that this is a speckled or just a butterfly?

 

[I<3fish]

That'd be a butterfly AKA Cichla ocellaris.
There are no speckled's AKA Cichla temensis left in FL as they don't make it through the winters due to them needing very warm water.

 

[vsyogi]

Is there any way to tell the difference between the two when they are younger?

 

[I<3fish]

VERY easily, yes. One has a straight line going from their head all the way to tail (Temensis) and one has three diamond bars (Ocellaris.)

 

[Louie]

So there's a lake by my house that has peacock bass. I'm kind of confused because I keep hearing that there are no speckled PBass left in florida. I have seen photos of speckled and im pretty sure i've caught a few. Well here's a photo of one I caught the other day.

What do you guys think, am i right that this is a speckled or just a butterfly?

I see lots fish for PB with fly rods. Esp the tour guides that come to the area.

I know nothing about fly reel/rods. You prefer it over "reg" rod/reel or just diff style?.

 

[vsyogi]

I just started fly fishing, and have to say that i prefer it over spinning gear.
I just feel more in control of the action towards the fly and also the fish. But if I really want to catch numbers spinning gear and live bait is the way to go.

 

[Louie]

Thanks .Yes fly fishing looks interesting. I use reg rod/reel but seems most in area prefer fly fishing for PB.

I prefer small rods/reel as walk the canals in area which is what I like about that equipment. Though have never tried it myself.

 

[Superlaz]

The fish you caught is whats known as a FL hybrid. They are basically all hybrids of monoculous and Ocellaris, with the markings varying in resemblance to either parent or somwhere in between. In my experience they look very ocellaris like until breeding colors in which Monoc like colors are more dominant.

There is word that they may have Temensis blood in them as well, but not easily proven.