Caught in neighborhood bayou

[AdamC]

And I have no idea what it is.
Sorry for the bad pics, the fish wouldn't stay still.








Any ideas? The face and end of the fins are very red. Body is a goldish green.

[AdamC]

Oh and it is about 6-7 inches long.

[mnemenoi]

Blue Tilapia (Oreochromis aureus), I have found them in a variety of spots around Houston and an invasive cichlid from Africa. Not a bad fish for a tank, though gets big and very aggressive. They are farmed for food and I believe that was the reason for their release. Here is a link to a collection of images from some caught in the Houston area.

[fshfrk]

It might be a Texas cichlid.

http://www.aquariumlife.net/profiles/american-cichlids/texas-cichlid/100047.asp

[AdamC]

Blue Tilapia (Oreochromis aureus), I have found them in a variety of spots around Houston and an invasive cichlid from Africa. Not a bad fish for a tank, though gets big and very aggressive. They are farmed for food and I believe that was the reason for their release. Here is a link to a collection of images from some caught in the Houston area.

After looking online at other pics, like this one I think you hit the nail on the head.
The bayou is full of them, and im going to need a bigger tank. They get big.

[CichlidFan]

Pretty.....is it actually redish brown like the picture shows?

CF

[AdamC]

Pretty.....is it actually redish brown like the picture shows?

CF

It is bright red on the tips and reddish brown on the face.

[CichlidFan]

gorgeous fish...nice catch.....keep it....for now...smiles.

CF

[fshfrk]

Blue Tilapia (Oreochromis aureus), I have found them in a variety of spots around Houston and an invasive cichlid from Africa. Not a bad fish for a tank, though gets big and very aggressive. They are farmed for food and I believe that was the reason for their release. Here is a link to a collection of images from some caught in the Houston area.

Nice call mnemenol. It looks like a blue tilapia to me. Great aqurium fish or a tasty dinner. Can't go wrong either way.

[IlikeGUPPIES]

good catch. I use to fish quite a bit and that sure is a tilapia!

I believe the law says that if you catch one, you have to gut it right away. Meaning cut it open and pull out the guts of it.

Someone check me on this.

[AdamC]

Oh wow, is that because of how invasive they are? The bayou is full of them.

[mnemenoi]

good catch. I use to fish quite a bit and that sure is a tilapia!

I believe the law says that if you catch one, you have to gut it right away. Meaning cut it open and pull out the guts of it.

Someone check me on this.

You are spot on as well, here is the link

It is a violation to--
Fail to immediately remove the intestines from tilapia, grass carp, or any other fish listed as harmful or potentially harmful, except on those waters where a valid Triploid Grass Carp Permit is in effect.

I have seen them as far north as Conroe, though their population seems to be far more easily decimated by winters the further north you go. It has been my opinion that they would likely experience large die offs in the lower regions as well, but that heated gray water run off in the smaller canals and bayous provide enough heat to maintain their denser populations. Anyone interested in locating some of them should go to the Buffalo Bayou Disc Golf course, they are everywhere in addition to Mollies and Sleeper Gobies.

[danielp]

good catch. I use to fish quite a bit and that sure is a tilapia!

I believe the law says that if you catch one, you have to gut it right away. Meaning cut it open and pull out the guts of it.

Someone check me on this.

+1 on this.

[IlikeGUPPIES]

Thanks mnemenoi and danielp,
Good job on the find guys.

I use to catch them and use them as bait for catfish jugging and trotlines.
Even the small ones when you catch them you got to gut them. It seems so cruel but it's the law. =D
You can even catch them on night crawlers and a bobber(float). Sometimes they will take jigs and lures as well.
They will give you a good fight too. =D

[nacra99]

ooo.. we used to eat those things!