5 replies to this topic

[FishGuyJosh]

I know there not native, but here's a new video of the giant schools of blue tilapia we found in Silver Glenn Springs, Florida earlier this year. I even got some great footage of some nest defense activity. And if you get the chance, please subscribe to the channel. Thanks and enjoy!

 

[Matt DeLaVega]

Awesome. I hate that these guys aren't where they are meant to be, but I really love the species. I have used them for aquaponic purposes, and they are nearly perfect for backyard aquaculture. The downside is their cold hardiness(upside when it comes to invasive potential) So easy to breed. No skill required. I had two females that we kept fry from and counted them at 3". 960ish-3 inch fish from two females in one spawning. Had I timed that all right I imagine I could have had 1400 pounds of fish, live weight in a growing season. Great fish, not great in Florida. However many claim that their primarily vegetarian diet and ability to filter feed is minimally disruptive to native fish in farm ponds. The filter feeding must have some impact on food availability to the fry of other species though.

[Isaac Szabo]

Great video, Josh. They're goofy fish. The nest guarding behavior is interesting. And hey, I saw a few natives. There's something kind of funny about the lone bluegill schooling with hundreds of tilapia at the end.

[FishGuyJosh]

I know! He was such a nice, big bluegill specimen too.

[Chasmodes]

Nice vid Josh!

 

 

Great video, Josh. They're goofy fish. The nest guarding behavior is interesting. And hey, I saw a few natives. There's something kind of funny about the lone bluegill schooling with hundreds of tilapia at the end.

 

Yeah, that was interesting.  That gill seemed right at home swimming along with them though.  I thought I saw another one earlier in the video...was that the same fish?

[Bullers]

Awesome clip Josh. Really interesting nest guarding behaviour. Fascinating fish.