Award of Excellence

"Proud Momma"

A female Peacock Bass guards her brood in a Miami, FL freshwater lake. She will protect her young fry from a vareity of predatory fish until they are large enough to fend for themselves. This tropical freshwater species, also known as the Peacock Cichlid, was intentionally introduced in Florida in the mid 1980s from South America to control the Tilapia population, another invasive species. Throughout its native range (and in Florida) it’s a prized sportfish known for its fighting spirit.