How to catch Bigeye cichlid
Acaronia nassa (Heckel, 1840)
About Bigeye cichlid fishing
The bigeye cichlid is a distinctive freshwater fish belonging to the Cichlidae family, featuring a fusiform body shape and proportionally large eyes suited to its predatory lifestyle. Growing up to a maximum length of 16 cm standard length, this species typically inhabits warm, slow-flowing tropical streams with muddy substrates, amber-colored waters, and shallow depths of around one metre. It is predominantly solitary in nature and functions as an active micro-predator, feeding on small fishes, shrimps, and aquatic insect larvae including odonates, coleopterans, and hemipterans. Reproduction is closely tied to the rainy season, during which spawning activity peaks across its native South American river basins. While primarily valued in the international aquarium trade and utilized locally as a food source, its opportunistic feeding behaviour and striking appearance also attract recreational interest.
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Difficulty
Medium
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Average size
15 cm
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Habitat
Freshwater
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Season
Spring, Summer, Autumn
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Also known as
Peruvian dwarf cichlid
Lateral Stripe
A prominent dark horizontal band runs across the flank from gills to tail base.
Peduncle Ocellus
A distinct black ocellus spot on the caudal peduncle resembles an eye marking.
Large Eye
Exceptionally large eye positioned high on the head characterizes this species.
Bigeye cichlid fishing facts
Characteristics
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Typical size
15 cm (max 16 cm SL ) -
Typical weight
0.2 kg (max 0.2 kg ) -
Body shape
Fusiform / Normal -
Vulnerability score
23.5
Best hours
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Peak
Dawn
First light
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Active
Morning
After sunrise
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Low
Midday
High sun
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Active
Afternoon
Late day
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Peak
Dusk
Last light
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Low
Night
After dark
When to fish for Bigeye cichlid
How to catch Bigeye cichlid
Tips for catching Bigeye cichlid
Target this species around shallow, slow-moving creeks featuring muddy bottoms, fallen branches, and dense marginal vegetation where it prefers to lie in wait. Because it relies heavily on sight to locate food, presentations are most successful during daylight hours in slightly stained or amber waters. Use light float rigs equipped with small freshwater shrimps or live aquatic worms suspended just above the substrate to mimic its natural benthic diet. Alternatively, casting ultra-light micro softbaits or small spinners very close to submerged structure can trigger aggressive reaction strikes from territorial individuals.
Other names for Bigeye cichlid
Local and alternate names anglers use for Bigeye cichlid.
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Peruvian dwarf cichlid
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Bigeye cichlid
Best equipment to catch Bigeye cichlid
Compare fishing methods for Bigeye cichlid — sized kit for each technique.
Note: Typical fish is 0.2 kg Our algorithm will suggest the best equipment for you based on this weight.
Float Fishing
Suspending bait beneath a float at a controlled depth.
85% Effectiveness
Rod
Float rod
A float rod is the all-round fishing rod for a float in rivers and still water, a step down in length from match.
Sized for a typical fish
light · 3.6 m
- Reel seat
- Spinning
- Form factor
- Multi-piece
- Action
- Moderate
- Grip
- Cork
Reel
Spinning reel
A spinning reel hangs under the fishing rod and is the default reel for casting lures and light baits. Line peels off an open spool with a bail.
Sized for a typical fish
1000 · 3 kg drag · 185 g
- Spool
- Fixed
- Mount
- Under
- Drag
- Front
- Retrieve
- Manual
Line
Monofilament line
Monofilament fishing line is the everyday main line: easy to knot, cheap to replace, and stretchy enough to forgive a hard strike.
Sized for a typical fish
1.3 kg · 0.125 mm
- Visibility
- Medium
- Abrasion
- Medium
- Stretch
- High
- Sink rate
- Slow
Hook
J-hook
A J-hook is the classic J-bend fishing hook for bait. You set it with a strike. Sizes are tokens such as 12 or 1/0.
Sized for a typical fish
12
- Points
- 1
- Offset
- No
- Barbed
- Yes
- Gap
- Standard
Float
Waggler
A waggler is a bottom-only attachment float for stillwaters and slow rivers. You shot it down and watch the antenna.
Sized for a typical fish
4 g
- Attachment
- Fixed
- Habitats
- Freshwater
- Methods
- Float Fishing
Spinning
Casting and retrieving lures with a spinning rod and reel.
75% Effectiveness
Rod
Spinning rod
A spinning rod is a fishing rod built to carry a spinning reel under the blank. You cast lures and light baits with it from shore or a boat.
Sized for a typical fish
ultralight · 1.8 m
- Reel seat
- Spinning
- Form factor
- Multi-piece
- Action
- Fast
- Grip
- EVA
Reel
Spinning reel
A spinning reel hangs under the fishing rod and is the default reel for casting lures and light baits. Line peels off an open spool with a bail.
Sized for a typical fish
1000 · 3 kg drag · 185 g
- Spool
- Fixed
- Mount
- Under
- Drag
- Front
- Retrieve
- Manual
Line
Braided line
Braided fishing line is the thin, no-stretch main for long casts, jigging, and feeling every tick on the retrieve.
Sized for a typical fish
6 kg · 0.1 mm
- Visibility
- High
- Abrasion
- Low
- Stretch
- None
- Sink rate
- Floats
Leader
Fluorocarbon leader
A fluorocarbon leader is the clear, fast-sinking join between a visible main line and the lure or hook.
Sized for a typical fish
7 kg · 0.3 mm · 90 cm
- Visibility
- Very low
- Abrasion
- High
- Stretch
- Low
- Sink rate
- Fast
Bottom Fishing
Presenting bait or rigs on or near the lake or sea floor.
65% Effectiveness
Rod
Spinning rod
A spinning rod is a fishing rod built to carry a spinning reel under the blank. You cast lures and light baits with it from shore or a boat.
Sized for a typical fish
ultralight · 1.8 m
- Reel seat
- Spinning
- Form factor
- Multi-piece
- Action
- Fast
- Grip
- EVA
Reel
Spinning reel
A spinning reel hangs under the fishing rod and is the default reel for casting lures and light baits. Line peels off an open spool with a bail.
Sized for a typical fish
1000 · 3 kg drag · 185 g
- Spool
- Fixed
- Mount
- Under
- Drag
- Front
- Retrieve
- Manual
Line
Monofilament line
Monofilament fishing line is the everyday main line: easy to knot, cheap to replace, and stretchy enough to forgive a hard strike.
Sized for a typical fish
1.3 kg · 0.125 mm
- Visibility
- Medium
- Abrasion
- Medium
- Stretch
- High
- Sink rate
- Slow
Leader
Fluorocarbon leader
A fluorocarbon leader is the clear, fast-sinking join between a visible main line and the lure or hook.
Sized for a typical fish
4 kg · 0.2 mm · 80 cm
- Visibility
- Very low
- Abrasion
- High
- Stretch
- Low
- Sink rate
- Fast
Hook
Circle hook
A circle hook turns in the mouth and usually finds the corner of the jaw. You do not strike hard — you come tight. It includes freshwater.
Sized for a typical fish
4
- Points
- 1
- Offset
- No
- Barbed
- Yes
- Gap
- Standard
Best lures and baits for Bigeye cichlid
Ranked lures and natural baits from every method, best first.
01
Shrimp
- Float Fishing
Translucent segmented carapace protects the body.
02
Soft worm
- Spinning
A long soft worm for Texas, wacky, and ned-style spinning.
03
Inline spinner
- Spinning
An inline spinner with a blade that flashes on a straight retrieve.
04
Worm
- Bottom Fishing
Rounded anterior end containing the mouth used for anchoring the bait on the hook.
Where Bigeye cichlid spends the year — Non-migratory
Stays in the same waters year-round. Look for it on the same grounds rather than timing a run.
1 Eggs
Same water all year
Laid on the home grounds.
2 Juveniles
Same water all year
Grow up close by.
3 Adults
Same water all year
Keep to a small home range.
4 Spawners
Same water all year
Spawn on the same grounds, with only short moves.
Hover or tap a number to read each stage.
Diet and behavior of Bigeye cichlid
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Diet
Carnivore -
Feeds by
Hunts animals -
Hunts
Dawn · Dusk
Where Bigeye cichlid lives
Lives near the bottom but swims in the water just above it. Cover the lower column, not only the mud.
Where this species lives
Bigeye cichlid photos for identification
Compare these photos with the catalog plate to identify the species.