Huge Blue Tilapia? caught in Florida (Palm City)

[NW Cichlid Keith]

My son caught this guy over spring break (w/ cast net). He was 17 inches and 4 pounds (very thick fish) - I googles and it appears the Florida record is 21 inches and just shy of 10 pounds. We brought back a 5 incher that is in the quarantine tank - will be interesting to see the temperament. Judging by the size of their beds, they cover a large territory. These are relatively new to the area there (golf course ponds). Mayans and black acaras have been there for a while.

 

[Barbs and Barbels]

Just curious, is it the custom there to release non natives or destroy them? Nice fish which ever way you go.

 

[NW Cichlid Keith]

Thanks - we let this guy go, and brought his son or daughter home. It is on the golf course, so they probably wouldn't appreciate a big fish rotting in the bushes - although that is exactly what I did w/ the large plecos I caught back a few years ago. I think they have a law w/ snakeheads that they legally can't be released. I use small ones (particularly the myans) for bait and would destroy any new/not fully established native. Destroying the blue talapia or a myan would be a waste - they are fully established for sure.

 

[5 Spot Junkie]

My son caught this guy over spring break (w/ cast net). He was 17 inches and 4 pounds (very thick fish) - I googles and it appears the Florida record is 21 inches and just shy of 10 pounds. We brought back a 5 incher that is in the quarantine tank - will be interesting to see the temperament. Judging by the size of their beds, they cover a large territory. These are relatively new to the area there (golf course ponds). Mayans and black acaras have been there for a while. View attachment 1245262 View attachment 1245263

Typically WC fish or fish in a will be more territorial than a tank raised. Being used to a vast area, when they get in tanks they require more room.

Keep us updated

 

[NW Cichlid Keith]

Well, the fish had to grow. It was pretty interesting, grew extremely fast, and took care of any algae in the tank - even left little poos, like I had a pleco in the tank. But it proved to be a bully to any and all fish that it could bully (even aggressive CA cichlids). And I mean really hit - not just territorial. And this was in a 300. I would think a really big one could be a serious menace.

 

[NW Cichlid Keith]

Fish had to go - not grow. Don't worry, I didn't kill it.

 

[milkman407]

I thought keeping tilapia in an aquarium was illegal ( FL residents )

 

[NW Cichlid Keith]

No Idea - caught him in FL - I live in GA. I think it is a lost cause in FL though - they are everywhere

 

[BIG-G]

Isnt this fish good to eat? That big boy would have been lunch!

 

[Cichlids-r-beasts]

That's a nice catch! Where I live there are 3 ponds that are full of tilapia, and I mean packed! Mozambique,blue,red and Nile. Once in a while you'd see some huge ones about 15"+.