Abstract
Geological heterogeneity in the Negro River basin creates differences in isotopic and elemental composition of rivers. Recent studies indicate that 87 Sr/ 86 Sr, Sr/Ca and Ba/Ca can be used to determine the natal origins of peacock bass Cichla temensis (Humboldt) and reconstruct individual movement histories. This method was used to analyse otoliths from adult C. temensis collected from two locations on the mainstem Negro River and six tributaries around these core areas. Applying discriminant functions derived from young‐of‐year reference otolith data to determine natal origins of adults indicated that 42% of adults sampled were collected from the same area in which they were spawned. However, variation in 87 Sr/ 86 Sr isotope values along the axis of otoliths indicated that C. temensis movements are much more dynamic than previously concluded. This new information on the spatial distribution of C. temensis can be used to support effective strategies for fishery management in the Negro River basin.