Would You Release Fish If You Lived On a Lake in Florida?

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Candiru
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Jan 25, 2007
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Would you release, let's say African Cichlids, in a isolated lake in Florida; especially if you had a lake-front property? The justification would be you would be adding colorful fish for all to enjoy, and since the lake is isolated from other waterways, there would not be an issue with the fish population spreading.

I have a small pond nearby (about the size of a football field) that is part of a Township park. It has a nice large wooden pier for fish watching or fishing. The pond has a few natural bass and blue gills (kind of drab colors). But what makes this pond interesting and enjoyable to look at are all the bright colored goldfish swimming around.

If the pond didn't freeze over in the winter, I would love to drop in a few Yellow Labs, Peacocks, and Haps.

What harm would I do if I did that?
 
You could eventually harm the local fish population. Beyond that, you could harm the africans in winter. Beyond that, having no connection with other water systems, I see no problem.
 
Unless you privately own it and are completely sure that is flood-proof and has no connecting waterways, I recommend not doing it in Florida. The fact that there are some fish in there, it show that there are ways for them to get in or out of the pond.
 
Unless you own the pond, I would think you would have to get permission from the owner before stocking it with new fish.
 
Unless it is privately owned, and not completely safe from flood, do not release the fish.
 
If you own it, and are sure it doesnt connect with other waterways...you're fine. THat there are fish there already doesnt signify that it connects to anything...F&W will stock FL ponds with Bluegills, and bass by request. WHere in FL ?? and how deep?? Central Fl or farther north I say Go with Koi and large COmet type goldfish...they grow bigger than africans, therefore easier to see, and in the event that the temp does fall pretty low...they can take it.... ;)
 
Just remember FL gets hurricanes and with them comes floods.
 
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