Mystery Fish?

[Razzo]

Hey guys,

Caught this fish in Southwest Florida today while fishing for largemouth bass. I have been, primarily, an African cichlid guy. I suspect this fish is a cichlid and a South American cichlid. Can anyone help ID this fish?

Thanks,
Russ

Mystery Cichlid by Russ Fairburn, on Flickr

 

[ryansmith83]

It’s actually an African cichlid, Pelmatolapia mariae. In Florida we refer to them as spotted tilapia. You can see some here:

https://backwaterfly.wordpress.com/tag/south-florida-fly-fishing/

 

[Razzo]

Thank you Ryan!

 

[duanes]

Agree with Ryan, I've seen a number of them hanging out with the uropthalmus, in the canals near Everglades City.

 

[Jdreal21]

I see them by the hundreds in my canals down in Miami

 

[Razzo]

This fish was caught in Fort Myers.

 

[ryansmith83]

They’re pretty common throughout south Florida and they’re also established in Texas and a few other states. They’re even rumored to be established in parts of Russia. The tilapia types have been widely introduced around the world, often to the detriment of local fish populations unfortunately.

 

[neutrino]

Hi Russ. Now that looks familiar.

Crazy slow at the other place, thought I'd say hi here.