EXOTIC FRESHWATER FISHESNote: For a printable guide to some of these freshwater exotic fishes, see the Exotic Fish Identifier Sheet (546 kb; PDF; with photos) and fast facts or ExoticFishID (205 kb; PDF with drawings). Exotic fishes are fishes from other countries that have been introduced into Florida intentionally or illegally by man. Thirty-four (34) exotic freshwater fishes are currently reproducing in Florida freshwaters, more than any other place in the world, and some of these fishes have become very successful in terms of their range extensions and abundances (detailed list, PDF ). All but one of these fishes were introduced illegally as the result of individuals releasing unwanted aquarium or food fishes, and/or the flooding of aquaculture ponds. Since nearly all of these exotic fishes are tropical species native to Central and South America, Africa, and Southeast Asia, the most important factor limiting their range in Florida is their intolerance to low water temperatures. It is illegal to release any non-native fish or any other non-native organism into the waters of the state, but new exotic freshwater fishes seem to crop up almost annually in Florida. Anyone wanting to dispose of live exotic fish because they don’t want them anymore, should give them to a friend or aquarium store, or euthanize them by lowering the temperature with ice or placing them in a plastic bag and freezing it. Not only is it illegal to release non-native species in Florida, it is also inhumane since most will die shortly after being released, and those that don't may cause detrimental changes in our fish communities. One reason we have so many exotic fishes is that most of our aquatic habitats have been dramatically altered. For example, man-made canals in southeast Florida provide nearly ideal habitats for many of these fishes. Not only are these canals located in the warmest part of Florida, but large amounts of groundwater continuously flow into them keeping them warmer than they would otherwise be. Even though the presence of many exotic species might be viewed as being more symptomatic than problematic, the potential for these fishes to detrimentally affect native species is and has been a major concern to the Division of Freshwater Fisheries for more than 40 years. These concerns are based in the knowledge that: 1. Presence of exotic fish alters the natural energy flow through aquatic ecosystems. 2. They may compete or hybridize with native species. 3. Some, like the electric eel, piranha, and freshwater stingray, can be directly harmful to man. 4. They are unpredictable. And 5. They can be carriers of harmful parasites and diseases. In addition to the regulatory programs centered in the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s (FWC) Division of Law Enforcement, the Division of Freshwater Fisheries has developed multifaceted programs focused on the prevention, assessment, and management of illegally introduced fishes. Prevention programs include public education, interagency coordination, and the elimination of new exotic fishes whenever possible. The main reason the Commission’s primary focus is on prevention is that it is impractical, if not impossible for man to eliminate an exotic fish once it is reproducing in Florida’s open waterways. For that reason, Florida maintains and enforces lists of restricted and prohibited aquatic animals. When an exotic fish is found to be reproducing in open waters, the Division of Freshwater Fisheries’ (DFF) priority changes from one of prevention to one of assessment. Assessment is the primary responsibility of the DFF’s Non-Native Fisheries Research Lab in Boca Raton. The objectives of this project include: 1. Documenting the occurrence and distribution of exotic fishes in Florida. 2. Defining their life histories, environmental limiting factors (e.g., lower lethal temperatures), and associations with native fishes. And 3. Developing fish management strategies to deal with these unwanted fishes. DFF’s long-term goal is to eliminate illegally introduced fishes whenever and wherever possible, but when this is impossible our goal is to identify best management practices for these undesirable but no less available resources. One approach we use is to encourage people to fish consumptively for exotic fishes, such as the oscar and Mayan cichlid, which reduces their numbers and increases opportunities for recreation. Another management tool involves commercial harvesting extremely abundant exotic species such as the blue tilapia, which creates jobs and provides a source of low cost food. Regardless of the circumstances, one of the most controversial management practices that can be proposed today involves the legal introduction of an exotic fish. In Florida, legal introductions have been used primarily as biological controls for excessive growths of aquatic vegetation and overabundant forage fishes. The triploid grass carp, which is a functionally sterile fish, has been used in Florida to control aquatic vegetation for more than 20 years and the results have generally been viewed favorably. Specific permits are required and these can only be obtained when the triploid grass carp are to be used as biological controls for exotic aquatic plants (see here for more). The butterfly peacock is the only reproducing exotic fish that was legally introduced, and this fish was released only after extensive research indicated it would be a beneficial addition. The objectives for introducing this fish were to convert an over-abundance of exotic forage fishes, especially the spotted tilapia, into a highly desirable urban sportfishery. The introduction of the butterfly peacock in 1984 has been extremely successful in that it has had no known detrimental effects, and it has generated millions of hours of fishing pleasure for thousands of anglers who spend more than $8 million a year to catch this fish (see here for more)! The DFF tested, then rejected the presupposition that every illegally introduced exotic fish represents an inherently catastrophic event. Based on decades of research, we have replaced this presupposition with one based on the historical fact that these fishes have real but less than catastrophic effects. The real effects of these fishes are cause for concern and DFF strongly believes everything practical should be done to prevent future illegal introductions. However, total prohibition of exotic fishes is unreasonable, just as it would be foolish to ignore them. Although not perfect, the existing combination of FWC regulations and programs provides us with a comprehensive and proven approach for dealing with the very serious and complicated problems created by exotic freshwater fishes in Florida. The exotic fishes displayed here are some of the most commonly encountered by anglers or those that have appeared prominently in media reports. Click here to view a complete list of exotic freshwater fishes collected by Commission fisheries scientists from Florida waters. For a printable guide to some of these freshwater exotic fishes, see the Exotic Fish Identifier Sheet (546 kb; PDF; with photos) and fast facts or ExoticFishID (205 kb; PDF with drawings). For information on Florida's saltwater non-native fishes see the FWC's Exotic and Unknown Saltwater Fishes page. For more on-line information about exotic fishes see the USGS' Non-Native Species Site; the Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force website and their affiliated Stop Aquatic Hitch Hikers site; the Southwest Florida Watershed Council's aquatic nuisance species site and the Gulf State's Marine Fisheries Commission non-indigenous species site. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection has an informative site about non-native aquatic plants. The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services also has an invasive species page. The American Fisheries Society Policy on introduced fishes provides additional information about the potential impacts of non-native species. On-line information about aquarium fishes include: Aquarium Central, FINS and FishBase. The Institute of Food and Agricultural Services at the University of Florida has published Jim McCann's book ‘Nonindigenous Aquatic and Selected Terrestrial Species of Florida’ on line. Please note that some on-line information contains errors and is often not peer-reviewed. Opinions about the effects of exotic fishes at these linked sites and others may differ with those presented here.
BUTTERFLY PEACOCK
COMMON NAME - Butterfly peacock, peacock bass DESCRIPTION - Body shape similar to that of a largemouth bass; color highly variable, but generally golden with three black vertical bars that tend to fade and are possibly absent in older fish; black spot with a yellow-gold halo on the caudal fin. RANGE - Introduced by FWC in large coastal canals of southeast Florida in 1984; low water temperatures and intolerance of saltwater prevent this species from becoming abundant outside of coastal Miami-Dade and Broward counties. Native range lies within the Amazon River basin of South America. HABITAT - Successful in warm, slow flowing canals, ponds, lakes, deep rock pits, and lateral canals; frequently found in shady areas around bridges, culverts, canal intersections, bends, dead ends, and near fallen trees; spawns and often feeds in shallow water adjacent shorelines with overhanging vegetation; cannot tolerate water temperatures below 60oF or salinities greater than 18 ppt. SPAWNING HABITS – Typically spawn from April through September with a peak in May and June; both adults prepare a flat, hard surface near shore, then lay between 4,000 and 10,000 eggs; young are guarded by both parents, sometimes for several months; males commonly develop a ‘nucchal’ hump on foreheads when reproductively active. FEEDING HABITS – Feed almost exclusively on fish; tend to use great speed to capture prey; typically feeds only during daylight hours; this fish has helped reduce the number of undesirable exotic fishes, especially the spotted tilapia. AGE AND GROWTH - Grow rapidly to 12-14 inches during the first 16-18 months, after which they become much heavier with each inch they add in length. A 17-inch fish will weigh approximately three pounds while a 19-inch fish will weigh up to five pounds. The largest butterfly peacock caught in Florida weighed 12.0 pounds and measured 25.5 inches, but this fish was not submitted for a state record. It is not known how long they live, but preliminary data suggests about six years. SPORTING QUALITY - Most popular sportfish in southeast Florida coastal canals where it generates millions of hours of fishing pleasure for thousands of anglers who spend more than $8 million a year to catch them; available to both boat and bank anglers using the same basic tackle as largemouth bass anglers; small shiners are the preferred live bait; rarely take plastic worms like largemouth bass do, but top-water lures, minnow imitating crank and jerk baits, and marabou jigs are popular artificial baits; streamers, epoxy minnows and pencil poppers are favorites of fly fishers; daily bag limit of two fish, only one of which can be greater than 17 inches. EDIBILITY – Good but the real value of this fish is in its use for controlling over-abundant exotic forage fishes and its sporting qualities; therefore FWC encourages anglers to catch and release these fish, especially those longer than 14 inches. STATE AND WORLD RECORDS - State record is 9.08 pounds, but fish up to 12 pounds have been caught; current IGFA all-tackle world record is 12.6 pounds (caught in Venezuela); 13 of the 16 current IGFA world records caught from Florida waters. For More see our "Fishing for Florida's Butterfly Peacock Bass" brochure and maps on our publications page. 
 OSCAR
COMMON NAME - Oscar DESCRIPTION - Young fish have wavy white and orange markings on black background; body and fins of adults with olive blue-green and mustard colors, highlighting large dark blotches, and a bright red eyespot at base of upper caudal fin; stout more oval body shape than native bream; some have orange or red markings and all have a thick mucus coat on the body. RANGE – Most abundant in canals of water conservation areas and Everglades habitats of Collier, western Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties. Occurs throughout south Florida, but typically not as abundant as in marsh-related canals. Native range includes the Orinoco, La Plata, and Amazon river basins in South America. HABITAT – Most successful in canals running through marsh habitats, although found in lesser numbers in coastal canals, ponds, and lakes in from central Florida southward. SPAWNING HABITS – Spawning normally takes place on flat, solid surfaces when water temperatures warm to 82-91oF; female typically lays about 3,000 eggs and both parents occasionally seen guarding hundreds of young in shallow water along shorelines. FEEDING HABITS - Feed primarily on small fish, insects, and crustaceans. AGE AND GROWTH – Two-pound fish are considered large. The IGFA record caught in Florida was an exceptional fish reported to weigh 3.5 lbs; oscars caught in the Everglades average 10 inches and 3/4th of a pound; biologists do not know how long oscars typically live. SPORTING QUALITY - Hard-fighting, panfish-type fishery; especially popular in water conservation areas of south Florida, where it ranks second in popularity only to largemouth bass; strikes a variety of baits including cut fish, cut shrimp, crickets, and worms; best artificial baits include small jigs tipped with cut bait and small spinnerbaits; flyfishing also productive; described as a boom and bust fishery since periodically experience major winterkills but when abundant, angler catch rates are exceptional; no bag or size limits. EDIBILITY - White, flaky meat with good flavor. STATE RECORD - State record is 2.34 pounds caught in Lake Okeechobee (see state records for updates).
COMMON CARP
COMMON NAME: Common carp (German carp) DESCRIPTION – Large, heavy bodied minnow with arched back small triangular head tapering to blunt snout; first ray of the dorsal and anal fins stout, serrated spine; small, subterminal and protrusible mouth contains no teeth; two pair of barbels on the upper jaw; body color brassy green on top grading to bronze or gold on sides with yellowish white belly; typically covered with large, round scales; not the problem in Florida it is reported to be in other states. RANGE - Occurs only in the Apalachicola and Ochlockonee rivers; widely distributed elsewhere in North America; first introduced to the United States in the late 1800's. Native range Europe. HABITAT – Occurs throughout Apalachicola and Ochlockonee river systems in variety of habitats ranging from steep natural banks to gentle banks, dike fields, sand disposal areas, rocky outcrops, and backwater sloughs with or without submergent vegetation; not nearly as abundant in Florida as most other states, possibly due to our short and mild winters. SPAWNING HABITS - Typically spawn when water temperatures range between 65 and 75oF; small groups gather in shallow, heavily vegetated areas that warm rapidly; one or more males pursue a female as eggs and milt are released, but no parental care given; eggs sink and adhere to vegetation and debris on the bottom; egg production from 50,000 to 2 million. FEEDING HABITS – Feed by sucking up bottom silt, and selectively removing insect larvae, crustaceans, snails, and other small food items; adult carp are omnivorous, consuming both plant and animal foods; organic debris may also be an important component of the diet. AGE AND GROWTH - Few live longer than 12 years in the wild, but in captivity have lived 47 years; growth varies considerable, but generally rapid for the first few years, then slows. They commonly reach more than 10 pounds. SPORTING QUALITY – Not listed as a sport fish in Florida, but a powerful fighter equal to most sportfish; ranks third in popularity behind Atlantic salmon and rainbow trout in Europe; require heavy tackle; best baits include dough balls, canned corn, bread crusts, and worms fished on the bottom; no bag or size limits. EDIBILITY - Bony but if properly prepared excellent eating; boiling and smoking are the two primary methods of cooking them. STATE AND WORLD RECORDS - State record is 40.56 pounds caught in the Apalachicola River; IGFA world record was caught in France weighed 75 pounds, 11 ounces (see state records for updates). Visit Carp Net or Carp.Com for more information on fishing for carp.
BLUE TILAPIA
COMMON NAME - Blue tilapia (sometimes erroneously referred to as Nile perch) DESCRIPTION - Young nondescript gray with a black spot at rear of dorsal fin; adults generally blue-gray shading to white on the belly; borders of dorsal and caudal fins with red to pink borders; broken lateral line and the spiny dorsal fin is joined to the soft dorsal fin. In central Florida, anglers can assume every tilapia they observe in fresh water is a blue, and any tilapia over 3 pounds is also likely a blue tilapia.
RANGE - Blue tilapia were imported in 1961 and have become established throughout central and southern Florida with isolated populations further north. Native to northern Africa and Middle East. It is thought to be the fish referred to in the Bible to feed the multitudes. HABITAT – Widespread and abundant in Florida; found in fertile lakes, ponds, rivers, streams, and canals. It is tolerant of saltwater and found in some near shore marine habitats, such as Tampa Bay. SPAWNING HABITS - Spawning occurs when the water temperature exceeds 68oF. Males dig large circular nests with their mouths in shallow water over a sandy bottom. The male swims out to a passing female and leads her to the nest where courtship occurs; female lays eggs and immediately takes into mouth after male fertilizes, after which she swims off, possibly to mate with another male. The males continue to guard nests and may spawn again with another female. Eggs hatch in female's mouth, and fry occasionally released to feed, but whenever threatened they return to the female's mouth until they are about three weeks old. This type of parental care is called mouth-brooding. FEEDING HABITS - Feed primarily on plankton and small organisms living in or on bottom detritus; three most common foods consumed in Lake Alice and Lake George were diatoms, green algae, and detritus; dominant food items in stomachs of fish from Six-Mile Creek near Tampa were detritus, algae, diatoms, and plant material. AGE AND GROWTH - Grow rapidly for first few months, then slow somewhat but ultimately reach 5-6 pounds by age 3-5 yrs; fish weighing 2-4 pounds common; largest caught in Florida weighed 10 pounds and measured over 21 inches in length; Lake Lena fish yielded a maximum age of 6 years, and indicated that males were larger at each age than females. SPORTING QUALITY - Not normally known for their angling quality. The exception being some urban anglers catch these in ponds using small pieces of hot dogs, bread balls, dog food, or live worms; no bag or size limits. They are rarely caught on artificial lures. There is also a group of avid bow anglers that target this species. EDIBILITY – White flaky meat with a mild flavor; considered excellent eating, and farm-raised fish often sold in grocery stores. STATE AND WORLD RECORDS - State record is open; qualifying weight is 10 pounds. The big catch program recognizes blue tilapia longer than 18 inches or heavier than 5 pounds (see state records for updates). SPECIAL NOTE – Possession and transport of live tilapia in Florida is illegal without a special permit (except blue tilapia). They can only be possessed if dead, so anglers who catch and want to eat a tilapia, other than blue tilapia, should immediately place them on ice.
MAYAN CICHLID
COMMON NAME - Mayan cichlid (freshwater snapper) DESCRIPTION - Broken lateral line and turquoise ring on the tail are diagnostic; general coloration includes 6-8 bars that can be faint or dark; body color varies greatly in intensity sometimes with bright red on the chin, throat, and breast; has both spiny and soft dorsal fins and a rounded caudal fin. RANGE - First recorded in
Florida Bay in 1983, now established and abundant in south Florida as far
north as Lake Okeechobee and the St. Lucie Canal. Native to Atlantic slope
of Central and South America. SPAWNING HABITS – Nest building primarily occurs in April, followed by peak spawn in May and June; both parents guard young for up to six weeks; generally spawn once per year. FEEDING HABITS - Consumes grass shrimp, small fish, snails, and insects along with some incidental detritus and vegetative matter. AGE AND GROWTH – Largest measured by Commission scientists was 12.6 inches and weighed 1.5 pounds, but may reach larger sizes as the IGFA world record is listed at 15 inches and 2.5 pounds; maximum reported age is 7 years. SPORTING QUALITY – Sometimes
referred to as the "atomic sunfish;" takes variety of natural baits
including live worms, grass shrimp, crickets, as well as almost any small
artificial, particularly jigs, fished on light tackle; wooly worms, small
streamers, and popping bugs used by flyfishers also taken aggressively. STATE RECORD – N/A
MIDAS CICHLID COMMON NAME - Midas cichlid (red devil) DESCRIPTION - Has multiple color phases (or morphs) ranging from dull gray and black to orange, red, and even white; all young start off gray, looking much like small bluegill or Mayan cichlid, but most change to brightly-colored morphs, starting when they are about three inches long; a mottled coloration indicates a fish in transition; in Florida, more than 95% of adults greater than 10 inches are brightly colored, but this ratio is nearly reversed in their native range; males and females equally likely to be brightly colored; pronounced forehead nuchal hump associated with breeding present in some fish; like most other cichlids this one has broken lateral lines. RANGE - First discovered in Florida in July 1980, now common in the Black Creek and Cutler Drain canal systems in Miami-Dade County. Native range includes Atlantic slope of Nicaragua and Costa Rica where more common in lakes than rivers. HABITAT – Prefers clear-water, box-cut canals with lots of shoreline crevices that they use to hide from predators. SPAWNING HABITS – Similar to other substrate spawning cichlids that provide biparental care; parents also produce a mucous body covering fed on by young; females mature by 7 inches and males by 8 inches; March through May appears to be the peak spawning season. FEEDING HABITS – Feed primarily on snails and other benthic material including aquatic insects, small fishes, and some plant and animal matter attached to or associated with submerged logs, leaves, rocks, etc. AGE AND GROWTH - Reaches just over a foot in length, and can weigh over 2.5 pounds; males tend to be larger than females. SPORTING QUALITY – Rarely caught on hook and line, but can sometimes be aggravated into biting; no bag or size limits. EDIBILITY - Little known, but probably good. STATE RECORD - N/A
WALKING CATFISH COMMON NAME - Walking Catfish DESCRIPTION – Elongated, gray, and scaleless catfish-type body with a large mouth, sharp pectoral spines, and four pairs of barbels; light to dark gray in color, but albinos occur; noted for ability to breath air and make short overland movements by pulling themselves along with their pectoral fins much like an infantry-man scooting under barbed wire; early accounts that this fish would eliminate native fishes were erroneous, and it has not had major detrimental effects; species occasionally abundant and still considered undesirable. RANGE – Most commonly encountered in Everglades and associated canals, but also occurs throughout central and south Florida; first reported in 1967 in Broward County and later in Hillsborough County, now these two populations have joined; abundance has decreased since 1970. Native range southeast Asia. HABITAT - Prefers shallow and highly vegetated water bodies; sometimes abundant in small deeper ponds without normal complement of native fishes. They sometimes dominate small Everglades pools during the dry season, but not necessarily to the exclusion of native fishes. They are much less abundant in large lakes and canals, and then usually only found in shallow vegetated areas; can live and even thrive in water with little to no oxygen since can breathe air; well-adapted to transient water bodies with muddy bottoms that partially dry up seasonally; occasionally found in road storm drainage systems from which they emerge during flooding events; habitat preferences tend to segregate this fish thereby reducing its overall effect on native species. SPAWNING HABITS – Little known, but reports from India indicate spawn early in rainy season when build nests in submerged vegetation; adhesive eggs laid on vegetation, and guarded by male. FEEDING HABITS – Opportunistic consuming a wide variety of food items including small fishes, aquatic insects, plant material, and detritus; also scavenges on dead fish, et al. AGE AND GROWTH - Fairly rapid with sizes up to about 12 inches; maximum size about 20 inches and three pounds. SPORTING QUALITY – None. EDIBILITY - Not commonly eaten in western societies, but prized in native range (possibly in part because they can be kept live in moist bags for transport); no bag or size limits. STATE RECORD – N/A SPECIAL NOTE – Possession and transportation of live walking catfish is illegal without special state and federal permits; can only be possessed dead, so anglers who want to try eating them should immediately put them on ice.
SAILFIN CATFISH
(Pterygoplichthys multiradiatus) COMMON NAME – Sailfin catfish (suckermouth catfish, hypostomus, pleco) DESCRIPTION – All three suckermouth catfishes (family Loricariidae) in Florida have rows of bony plates covering all but their belly area. Sailfin catfish are distinguished by worm-like pattern of dark markings on the head over a dark-golden background; pectoral fins stout with rough surfaces resembling course sandpaper; disc-like, protrusible mouth is under the head, and used like a suction cup to attach and feed on algae; females tend to be smaller, and fish larger than 18 inches probably males; lifeless and hollowed-out ‘armored’ bodies sometimes seen on canal and lake banks.
HABITAT - Sailfin catfish live in nearly any type of slow moving streams, canals, ponds, and lakes; and are normally most abundant along the shore and in shallower waters. They are known to create spawning burrows along shorelines, sometimes undermining canal banks and lake shorelines. Little is known about the vermiculated sailfin’s specific habitat preferences; poor success of suckermouth catfish to date indicates it is less well adapted to Florida waters than are the sailfins. SPAWNING HABITS – Male and females start maturing when 13 and 11 inches long; female lays about 2,000 eggs in shoreline burrows, holes, or crevices generally between April and September; nests guarded until eggs hatch; adhesive eggs clump together in masses; egg masses are sometimes collected from the wild, aerated, hatched, and grown on tropical fish farms for sale in the pet industry. FEEDING HABITS – 100% of stomachs that were examined contained detritus, and most also contained algae, sand, small freshwater bivalves, water fleas, and decaying matter; most active around dusk when root around bottom looking for worms and insect larvae; sucker-like mouth used to scrape algae from stones and other surfaces with their spoon shaped teeth. AGE AND GROWTH – Grow to more than 20 inches and weights of 3.0 pounds. SPORTING QUALITY - None; no bag or size limits EDIBILITY – Fair to good, but difficult to clean and best to cook ‘in the shell,’ after which the white flaky meat can be slid out. STATE RECORD – N/A
SPOTTED TILAPIA COMMON NAMES - Spotted tilapia (greenies, African bream) DESCRIPTION - Light yellow to bronze with 6-9 bars or spots along side; stouter but similar body and mouth shape to native sunfishes; small ones tend to have bars that turn into spots in larger fish (see photo); some have reddish markings on the chin or throat area, especially when spawning; sometimes erroneously referred to as an ‘oscar.’ RANGE - First collected in 1974, it rapidly became the most abundant fish in the canal system of Miami-Dade County where it made up about 25% of the fishes by number and weight; now widespread south of Lake Okeechobee; so abundant that butterfly peacock was introduced to help control it. Native range is West Africa. HABITAT – Prefers slow-flowing canals, ponds, and lakes; common throughout south Florida; may be increasing in some areas, but not as abundant in Miami-Dade County as in 1980s. SPAWNING HABITS – Unlike other tilapia in Florida, this tilapia is a substrate spawner that lays about 2,000 sticky eggs on hard, flat surfaces; both parents guard young aggressively until about one inch long; sexually mature at 7 inches; some observed spawning year around, but most spawning seems to occur in cooler months between November and March. FEEDING HABITS – Omnivorous, feeding on wide variety of food items, although most stomachs contain detritus, diatoms, algae, and sand indicating this tilapia, like most others, feed low on the food chain. AGE AND GROWTH - Grows to 13 inches and about 3 pounds; males grow larger with all fish over 10 inches typically being males. SPORTING QUALITY – Commonly caught by cane-pole anglers, but not as aggressive as most native sunfishes; no bag or size limits, but must not be possessed alive (see note below). EDIBILITY - Good STATE RECORD - N/A SPECIAL NOTE – Possession and transport of live tilapia in Florida is illegal without a special permit (except blue tilapia); can only be possessed if dead, so anglers wanting to eat this fish should immediately place them on ice.
JAGUAR GUAPOTE COMMON NAME - Jaguar guapote DESCRIPTION - Broken lateral
line and black-and-white patterning make this species distinct; toothed and protrusible mouth; numerous purple to black spots or blotches on body and
fins with series of black squares along their sides; males typically larger
than females; only local species that might be confused with the jaguar
guapote is the black crappie, but guapote’s teeth and broken lateral line
instantly set it apart. HABITAT – Currently found in
southeast Florida box-cut canals; tolerant of poor water quality. In native
range occupy a variety of habitats including rivers and lakes with muddy,
sandy, and rocky bottoms. FEEDING HABITS – Medium-sized opportunistic predator; feeds primarily on small fish (including many exotic species) and aquatic insects; also consumes some snails, worms, and even an occasional lizard. AGE AND GROWTH - Largest collected by FWC about 16 inches long and weighed 2.8 pounds, but reportedly grows larger. SPORTING QUALITY – Limited; caught on beetle-spins and other small artificial baits, as well as, live worms and small fish; no bag or size limits. EDIBILITY - Excellent; a mainstay in its native range. STATE AND WORLD RECORDS – IGFA all-tackle record caught in Florida weighed 3.5 pounds and was 21.5 inches long. Not included in state records data base.
CLOWN KNIFEFISH COMMON NAME - Clown knifefish (featherback). DESCRIPTION – Very distinct,
flat, silvery fish with long anal fin that gives the knifefish its common
name; tiny dorsal fin and 5-10 black spots ringed with white distinguish it
from all other fish in Florida; juveniles possess dark vertical bands
instead of spots; long anal fin equally allows for forward and backward
movements. HABITAT – Lakes, swamps, and river backwaters; young fish occur in schools among aquatic plants and submerged roots; adults tend to be loaners commonly found near shore in areas with overhanging vegetation or docks; utilizes air to survive in warm, stagnant waters with little oxygen. SPAWNING HABITS – Reportedly spawning takes place in spring when females each lay thousands of eggs on the substrate or piece of wood; male cares for the eggs by fanning them with his tail, keeping them aerated and silt-free; later male reportedly protects hatched fry. FEEDING HABITS – Feeds on a variety of prey including small fish, insects, and grass shrimp. AGE AND GROWTH - Largest specimen documented in Florida was a 31-inch specimen weighing just under 10 pounds. SPORTING QUALITY – Limited, but its unique appearance and jumping skills make for an exciting catch. EDIBILITY – Bony, but commercially important in native range; flesh minced, made into balls, and cooked with curry. STATE RECORD – N/A
BROWN HOPLO COMMON NAME – Brown hoplo (armor-plated catfish), hassa. DESCRIPTION - Brown hoplo is less than a foot long and belongs to family of fishes known as Callichthyidae; has bony armor consisting of two rows of large hard scales forming plate-like armor along each side; dark brown to black in color with two pairs of long barbells on chin. RANGE – First documented in the Indian River Lagoon system in 1995; now found throughout central and south Florida from the St. John’s River to Lake Trafford. Native to eastern South America. HABITAT – Occur in a variety of freshwater habitats including muddy bottom and slow moving rivers, streams, side channels, ponds, marshes, and man-made waterways such as ditches and borrow pits; larvae and juveniles inhabit shallow water areas with lots of vegetation; adults prefer foraging in deeper, open water areas; gulps air, and tolerant of both low oxygen and high hydrogen-sulfide levels. SPAWNING HABITS - Males build floating nests in vegetation near shore that consist of bubbles covered with plant material. Eggs are released by the female below the nest. The male fertilizes them and then takes them into his mouth and blows them up into the floating nest. Breeding males develop enlarged, red pectoral spines with hooks at the tips that are used to defend territories against other males. The eggs hatch in about four days. FEEDING HABITS - Primarily feeds on benthic invertebrates and detritus. AGE AND GROWTH - Grows to about 2 inches in 2 months; however, rarely exceeds 10 inches. SPORTING QUALITY – Little to none, but can be caught using live worms; normally fished for with cast nets. EDIBILITY – Highly sought after as food by Floridians with cultural ties to Trinidad and parts of South America; raised as a food fish in native range; no bag or size limits. STATE RECORD – N/A
BULLSEYE SNAKEHEAD (Channa marulius)
DESCRIPTION – Air-breathing, torpedo-shaped fish with flattened head and toothed jaws; long anal and dorsal fins without spines; typically red eyes; body color darkens with age to deep brown with black blotches sometimes fringed with bright comma-shaped markings, and a red-orange eyespot (ocellus) near the base of the tail. It resembles a bowfin in behavior and appearance, but is distinguished by a long anal fin. For more information, click here. RANGE –First documented in October 2000; currently only common in one canal system in southeast Florida; will likely be limited to the southern half of Florida since temperatures below 50oF are lethal. Native range Pakistan, Malaysia, and southern China. HABITAT – In canals, typically associated with overhanging shoreline vegetation, dense submersed vegetation, and debris; tolerant of stagnant waters due to air-breathing capabilities. SPAWNING HABITS – Spawn primarily from March through May with a secondary peak in August; adults occasionally seen herding young in shallows until 6-8 inches long; a sample of ripe females contained an average of 4,700 ready to spawn eggs. FEEDING HABITS – Bottom dwelling, ambush predator that feeds primarily on small fish and crayfish, but occasionally eats a wide variety of prey including turtles, toads, lizards, snakes, and insects. AGE AND GROWTH – Largest collected in Florida by FWC was 31.5 inches and weighed 9.2 pounds; reports of this species commonly growing to more than four feet and weights of 66 pounds erroneous; largest likely to get about 15 pounds. SPORTING QUALITY – Good; have been caught on jerk baits and live baits; a popular sportfish in its native range; no bag or size limits. For an interesting article on these fish by fishing guide Jean-Francois Helias, click here. EDIBILITY – Excellent; even said to have medicinal benefits in its native range by hastening the healing of wounds and internal injuries. STATE RECORD – N/A
SWAMP EEL (Monopterus albus)
DESCRIPTION – Body snake-like tapering to a point; small eyes, tiny scales, and finless; typically dark reddish-brown with light tan to orange abdomen, but some are light orange, pink or white, with dark calico-like markings; heavy mucous coating facilitates burrowing nature; secretive and most active at night, but generally considered a ‘sluggish’ fish; present in Hawaii for 100 years with negligible effects on native species. RANGE – Abundant in several southeast Florida box-cut canals, and common in Little Manatee River and Bullfrog Creek drainages near Tampa. It was first collected in 1997 and is expected to slowly spread into central and south Florida. However, it is not expected to have dramatic effects on native fishes. Native range from northern India and Burma to China, and perhaps Soviet Union. HABITAT – Prefers shallow, sluggish, standing, or even stagnant waters and dense vegetation; often burrows or submerges in mud bottoms; can live in waters without oxygen because it breathes air. In native range found in ponds, canals, ditches, rice-fields, and swamps and is reported to survive in moist mud during dry season. SPAWNING HABITS – Spawns in summer; some reports indicate it is a bubble nest builder species, others say uses burrows for egg incubation; ripe female typically contains about 440 ready to spawn eggs; hermaphroditic-- all mature as females, and some of these females later become males; most populations have highly skewed sex ratio dominated by females. FEEDING HABITS – Feeds primarily on small fishes, crayfish, grass shrimp, and worms; due to mouth width, the largest food a 30-inch swamp eel can eat is about the same as what a 9-inch largemouth bass can eat; due to mouth size, weak swimming attributes, and poor vision, swamp eels do not appear to be affecting native fish in canals. AGE AND GROWTH – Oldest believed to be about 10 yrs; largest collected by FWC was 33.7 inches long and 1.7 pounds. SPORTING QUALITY – None EDIBILITY – Good, mild tasting meat; considered a delicacy in its native range. STATE RECORD – N/A
GRASS CARP (Ctenopharyngodon idella)
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(Cichla ocellaris)
(Astronotus ocellatus)
(Cyprinus carpio)
Similar
Species - Female Mozambique tilapia (O. mossambicus) nearly
(Cichlasoma urophthalmus)
(Cichlasoma
citrinellum)
(Clarias batrachus)
Similar
Species - Vermiculated sailfin (Pterygoplichthys disjunctivus)
and suckermouth catfish (Hypostomus sp) are also found in
Florida (see image of a Hypostomus to right); vermiculated
sailfin catfish (see image below and to left) have worm-like
markings similar to but generally bolder than sailfin catfish which is
the easiest way to distinguish these two species; suckermouth
catfish (see image to right) is a shorter, stouter fish (maximum size less than 17
inches); has a pattern of black spots on head and less than 10
dorsal fin rays while other loricariids in Florida have 10 or more
dorsal fin rays and worm-like markings on head.
RANGE – The sailfin catfish is by far the most successful,
abundant, and widespread loricariid in Florida, and is found
throughout central and south Florida.
Although the suckermouth catfish (Hypostomus sp.) has been in Florida since the
1950s, it is not widespread, being
found primarily in Miami-Dade and Hillsborough counties. The
vermiculated catfish is occasionally found in central Florida,
including Six-Mile Creek in Hillsborough
(Tilapia
mariae)
(Cichlasoma
managuense)
(Notopterus
chitala)
(Hoplosternum
littorale)
COMMON
NAME – Bullseye snakehead (cobra snakehead)
COMMON
NAME – Swamp eel (Asian swamp eel, rice paddy eel)
COMMON
NAME - Grass carp, Chinese grass carp, white amur
By
contrast, common carp have a laterally compressed, robust body (deep
bodied from the back of the fish to the belly) and are easily distinguished
by the presence of barbels (whiskers) located at the corners of the mouth.
Suckers have smaller scales than grass carp or common carp and unlike the
carp have large lipped, sucker-like mouths located well below the head. 
COMMON
NAME - Black acara (two-spot cichlid; port cichlid)
