What is this Fish?

[troutrageous1]

So I was in Boca Raton visiting my In-Laws two weeks ago. They live on a canal, so I always sneak off and do some fishing in their backyard. Usually I get primarily Largemouth & Peacock bass, but this year I reeled in a bunch of these guys (attached picture, sorry it's not the best). I guess it's some sort of bream. I remember catching similar fish a few years ago, but they were much, much smaller, now these suckers are about double or triple the size of what I remember and hit like a freight train. My wife was catching them too on what was basically a Barbie Rod, I thought it was going to snap in half. Forgive my ignorance, but can anybody tell me specifically what these are?

[goofy]

I'm not sure but, could that be an Oscar. Seems like I've heard they are doing quite well in the far South.

[rebg38]

I believe if you will check, that would be a Rio Grande Perch Cichlasoma cyanoguttatum

Don

[gofish]

looks like a variety of peacock bass....cant really tell cause its laying kinda flat in the pic

[Timotha7]

You sure that isn't a Tilapia? Sure looks one to me
(had them in res below where I lived in Hawaii back in late 70's)

[troutrageous1]

Thanks for all of the feedback. Based on all of what you wrote, I used Google & Wikipedia and figured it out. Me thinks it's a Maya cichlid, Cichlasoma urophthalmu.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cichlasoma_urophthalmus

[dipper69_2000]

ok what i wanna know is how did it taste?

[heath19]

I have no clue what that is but my mind is thinking like dippers, can ya eat them!! Looks like they would make good table fare to me?

[Mickey and Jim]

Here you go

http://www.floridaconservation.org/fishing/fishes/non-native.html#mayan

[troutrageous1]

ok what i wanna know is how did it taste?

Sorry Dipper, didn't eat any, just threw 'em back. But in the one link it mentions they are quite tasty - maybe next time.

[Ðe§perado™]

Looks like a dark Tilapia to me.

[rebg38]

The Tilapia doe not have the spot right before the tail fin like the Rio Grande Perch does

[rebg38]

Other Names Rio Grande Perch, Texas Cichlid Description Cichlasoma is derived from cichla, the Greek word for "thrush." It means "resembling cichla." The word cyanoguttatum is also Greek and means "blue spotted." Rio Grande cichlid are distinctive in that they exhibit cream and turquoise colored spots, giving them a speckled look. Background color varies from very dark to light olive. Lighter colored specimens usually exhibit five dark vertical bars. Both dorsal and anal fins are long and tapered extending behind the caudal peduncle (fleshy portion of the tail). Unlike tilapia and most sunfishes, which typically have three spines on the anal fin, Rio Grande cichlids are equipped with five to six anal fin spines. Adult males may also develop a pronounced "hump" on the head which is not present in tilapia. Adults usually range up to about 6 inches in length.

[Schoe]

It's really nice to get this kind of input on a subject and I want to let you all it is greatly appreciated.

Schoe