The author's Jacunda caught in Brazil on a bucktail jig.
Jacunda (Pike Cichlid)
Crenicichla Sp
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Jacunda Description
Jacunda (or Mataguaro) refers to several species of Pike Cichlid that live in the Amazon basin. They are colorful and feisty and fun to catch on light tackle. Unfortunately, they are rarely caught on appropriate tackle because they are usually caught as by-catch when fishing for Peacock Bass or other larger Amazon species.
Jacunda are very aggressive. I had one in an aquarium once and it was an absolute terror and bullied all the other fish in the tank including some Peacock Bass that were twice its size. Unfortunately for the Jacunda though, they don't get very big (max around 4lbs), and they don't have big teeth or thick scales. As a result, they are pretty much at the bottom of the totem pole in the fish-eat-fish world of the Amazon predators. Therefore, they tend to be caught near the bank under cover. If you are trying to catch big Peacock Bass and you are catching Jacunda, you probably should fish a little farther out.
I have never eaten Jacunda, but I'm told they are tasty. However, there is such an abundance of other fish in the places that they live that you probably are going to have some better eating options.
Jacunda Pound for Pound Fight Rating - 4 out of 10 on the Freshwater Scale
Jacunda have a poor reputation as fighters, probably because they are nearly always hooked on tackle meant for the much larger and tougher Peacock Bass. They would probably be good light tackle targets, but given where they live you would constantly be getting broken off by other fish.
Jacunda Tackle
Ideally these fish would be caught on light tackle. However, most people who catch them are fishing for larger fish so they get overpowered quickly with heavier tackle.
Jacunda Techniques
Jacunda like to hang out around cover where they can hide from bigger predators. All the ones I have caught have been close to the bank. If you are trying specifically to catch one, cast there. They are hard to target specifically, but if you are fishing smaller lures for Peacock Bass you stand a good chance at catching some incidentally.
Jacunda Lures
Jacunda will take a variety of jigs, flies, spoons, and other lures designed to look like small fish. They are very aggressive fish and will strike out at small lures that enter their territory.
Jacunda Baits
I have never fished for them with bait (or fished for them specifically at all or known anyone who has), but I imagine any of the small minnows that live in the Amazon would work well as live baits.
Where to get big Jacunda
The Amazon Basin is the only place I know of to target these.
Crenicichla Sp
HOME
Other
Species
Jacunda Description
Jacunda (or Mataguaro) refers to several species of Pike Cichlid that live in the Amazon basin. They are colorful and feisty and fun to catch on light tackle. Unfortunately, they are rarely caught on appropriate tackle because they are usually caught as by-catch when fishing for Peacock Bass or other larger Amazon species.
Jacunda are very aggressive. I had one in an aquarium once and it was an absolute terror and bullied all the other fish in the tank including some Peacock Bass that were twice its size. Unfortunately for the Jacunda though, they don't get very big (max around 4lbs), and they don't have big teeth or thick scales. As a result, they are pretty much at the bottom of the totem pole in the fish-eat-fish world of the Amazon predators. Therefore, they tend to be caught near the bank under cover. If you are trying to catch big Peacock Bass and you are catching Jacunda, you probably should fish a little farther out.
I have never eaten Jacunda, but I'm told they are tasty. However, there is such an abundance of other fish in the places that they live that you probably are going to have some better eating options.
Jacunda Pound for Pound Fight Rating - 4 out of 10 on the Freshwater Scale
Jacunda have a poor reputation as fighters, probably because they are nearly always hooked on tackle meant for the much larger and tougher Peacock Bass. They would probably be good light tackle targets, but given where they live you would constantly be getting broken off by other fish.
Jacunda Tackle
Ideally these fish would be caught on light tackle. However, most people who catch them are fishing for larger fish so they get overpowered quickly with heavier tackle.
Jacunda Techniques
Jacunda like to hang out around cover where they can hide from bigger predators. All the ones I have caught have been close to the bank. If you are trying specifically to catch one, cast there. They are hard to target specifically, but if you are fishing smaller lures for Peacock Bass you stand a good chance at catching some incidentally.
Jacunda Lures
Jacunda will take a variety of jigs, flies, spoons, and other lures designed to look like small fish. They are very aggressive fish and will strike out at small lures that enter their territory.
Jacunda Baits
I have never fished for them with bait (or fished for them specifically at all or known anyone who has), but I imagine any of the small minnows that live in the Amazon would work well as live baits.
Where to get big Jacunda
The Amazon Basin is the only place I know of to target these.
The striking pattern of a Jacunda
A Jacunda caught in Bolivia on a Sebile Stick Shadd lure.
A Zebrina Pike cichlid from Venezuela in my aquarium.