Florida Frost taking care of invasive exotics problem?

[Louie]

I would agree on the canals.....but several studies by state agencies in Florida have shown that these canals are like superhighways through the Everglades and that they are partially responsible for introducing exotics to the Everglades national park; otherwise I wouldnt care about Oscars, Firemouths,Mayan Cichlids or spotted Tilapias in the canals (except to go fishing for!) but since they do use the canals like highways and they do compete with natives in Floridas parks and lakes, I do not agree with exotics being anywhere in Florida except someones Aquariums.

I don't disagree with you I don't feel they take the toll on natives you think so we disagree on that however lets say for the sake of argument that there were no cichlids.

The toll that state introduced PB will now take on natives will be brutal. FWC recently got back to me and told me they feel enough PB left but if not if they can get the funds they will restock .

What do you think these big predators are going to eat?

They live in the hot canals during summer they love the heat they eat those cichlids left and right not adults but the spawns and younger cichlids.

Without cichlids they will now devestate natives as they will leave the canals venture deeper into Glades . Again I don't disagree with you but here in S.Florida esp with state stocked PB and those big grass carp (worse fish for eating natve bass eggs) its not that black and white.

The state is always going to stock PB its a huge money making industry which feeds motels/hotels-guides-eaterys,etc ,etc . They are big eaters .

Interestingly enough I have been seeing more snakes than ever . Saw 2 - 3 footers today at lunch time in parking lot at work. I have no idea what this one is.

 

[coura]

Why a heck would the fish and wild life service be introducing peacok bass deliberatly into Florida? ?????????

 

[Louie]

Why a heck would the fish and wild life service be introducing peacok bass deliberatly into Florida? ?????????

I am not sure but they were introduced years ago and its a fish that if for some reason depleted would be restocked by state . I have no idea if they have been here decades but native S.Floridians who post here would know.

Its a popular fish for fishermen and revenue for Miami as far as all the fishermen it brings in from other states and some from other countries mostly in summer .

They mosty eat cichlids because these fish ADORE heat and even in the hottest canals you find them and Miyan cichlids

 

[armac]

Why a heck would the fish and wild life service be introducing peacok bass deliberatly into Florida? ?????????

"
'In 1984, Florida officials deliberately introduced butterfly peacock bass and speckled peacock bass to the southern region of that state. There they prey on other non-native and invasive species such as the oscar
Astronotus ocellatus'

 

[Louie]

"
'In 1984, Florida officials deliberately introduced butterfly peacock bass and speckled peacock bass to the southern region of that state. There they prey on other non-native and invasive species such as the oscar
Astronotus ocellatus'

Is it true that only butterfly made it the speckled did not?

I have never seen speckled some say it didn't make it . Those I ask aren't sure . Suspect you would know.

 

[EricIvins]

Why a heck would the fish and wild life service be introducing peacok bass deliberatly into Florida? ?????????

Money........Duh.....

 

[ceeej31]

Is it true that only butterfly made it the speckled did not?

I have never seen speckled some say it didn't make it . Those I ask aren't sure . Suspect you would know.

there have been a few reports of tems (speckled) but none have been confirmed, modern florida cichla are most likely a hybrid of the butterfly(occel) and speckled (tem)

 

[jdmnismo300]

Why a heck would the fish and wild life service be introducing peacok bass deliberatly into Florida? ?????????

:sigh:

It was introduced by FWC in large coastal canals of southeast Florida in 1984. Low water temperatures and intolerance of saltwater prevent this species from becoming abundant outside of coastal Miami-Dade and Broward counties. Native range lies within the Amazon River basin of South America.

It feeds almost exclusively on fish. It has helped reduce the number of undesirable exotic fishes, especially the spotted tilapia.

Its the most popular sportfish in southeast Florida coastal canals where it generates millions of hours of fishing pleasure for thousands of anglers who spend more than $8 million a year to catch them. Available to both boat and bank anglers using the same basic tackle as largemouth bass anglers

The real value of this fish is in its use for controlling over-abundant exotic forage fishes and its sporting qualities therefore FWC encourages anglers to catch and release these fish, especially those longer than 14 inches.

 

[krichardson]

Money........Duh.....

Yep,Louie already touched on that in post 151.If people can travel down to remote locations to fish for them then there has to be a market for fishing them here.

 

[coura]

Sorry guys but even if they cant go away from thouse water courses, how can the US fish and wildlife service ask people not to release non native species if THEY themselfes do it?