First Published: 18th of November, 2021 by Patrick Carpen.
Last updated: November 1, 2023 at 21:28 pm
The peacock bass fish is colloquially called Lukunani by the people of Guyana, South America. It belongs to the genus cichia. In Brazil, the peacock bass is called tucanare, and the Spanish refer to it as pavon.
Disambiguation: The peacock bass, genus cichia, is a distinctly different fish from the peacock cichlid.
Photo by Navin Roopnarain
The peacock bass, or lukunani, is a freshwater fish found mainly in the rivers of Guyana, Brazil, Colombia, and Venezuela. It can grow up to 1 meter and weight up to 29 lbs. The peacock bass carries a spot on the tail fin which resembles the eyes on a peacock’s tail feathers.
The flesh of the peacock bass is white and sweet when cooked, and has very little oil. It is similar in taste to snapper, and has a small proportion of bone. The peacock bass is a delicacy in Guyana as well as other countries around the world. It is served in a variety of recipes and cooking styles.
So, what do you know about the peacock bass, commonly called the lukunani by the people of Guyana? Tell us in the comments section below!
