The peacock bass -- known locally as tucunaré -- is one of the most vibrant freshwater fish on the planet. Their neon colors and bold black bars look like something out of a painter’s studio. The best way to see these colors in their full glory is by chasing them in the Amazon, especially on Brazil’s Rio Negro.
Until you make that trip of a lifetime, one way to appreciate their beauty is through artwork—and for many anglers, that means ink. Peacock bass tattoos have become a badge of honor, celebrating not just the fish’s power and aggression but also its almost psychedelic palette. While black-and-white designs can be striking, these fish practically beg to be rendered in full technicolor.
Here are some incredible tattoo artists who’ve captured the essence of the mighty tucunaré:
If this gets you fired up for an epic fishing adventure, shoot us an email and let’s put you on the fish that’ll inspire your first or next fishy ink artistry.
For many of us, the Improved Clinch Knot was the first one we learned. Some of us still use it. It may not test stronger than some other, but it’s remarkably easy to tie correctly. You can improve your chances of landing big fish to the boat with the Double Clinch Knot.