Butterly Peacock bass (Cichla ocellaris)is an exotic fish from South America that has be intentianally released into Florida waters to help control the populations of other exotic species that were introduced illegally into Florida waters. After a few shortlived basically unsuccessful attempts to establish Butterly Peacock a stocking of peacock bass of about 20,000 fingerlings, was introduced into southeast Florida canals by the Florida Game and Freshwater Fish Commission.

Butterfly peacocks or peacock bass are now established in some South Florida waters but their northward spread is limited by their inability to survive cooler temperatures.

The butterfly peacock has a body shape that is similar to a largemouth bass hence the name peacock bass even though they aren't related to each other. Body color is generally golden with three black vertical bars and a black spot with a silver halo on the tail fin. Coloration is however very variable. The bars tend to fade the older the fish gets and may completely disappear in the largest specimens.

Butterfly peacocks usually on reach a weight of one to three pounds and the larger specimens of peacock will almost certainly be members of the spotted peacock species and not the butterfly peacock species.