Allegedly feral cichlids from tanks taste horrible, not worth killing and eating something you're going to throw up.If it's going to die anyway you might as well take it home and fillet it ,atleast it's not dying in vain.
edit : dieing
You heard Duanes! Fry it up!I've eaten many tank/farm raised and wild cichlids, and they taste fine (from managuense to P-bass to Tilapia).
I have a couple friends that consider cichlids, the only fresh water fish they will eat.
Here in Panama inland, cichlids like black belts, and even feral oscars are an every day meal.

