DD1,
They are shy.
Yesterday a guy drove by with a pick up full of fish, mostly tilapia and pacu. The pacu were 2 1/2 to 3" for about a dime a piece.
George, At least for me they are similar in those areas to tilapia, the big difference is the breeding, pacu, both sexes, need to be induced and I think need to be around 5 years old. They are aquacultured so they should be available in some areas.
As for hook shy, if I surface fish, usually one is the limit, the rest leave the area. On the bottom, I have caught 6 in an hour or so.
When in the states a couple of months ago I saw several at Sea World, in the 30# range, but they were fat.
