I'm afraid I'm not the guy to answer questions about this fish. I think Rainman raised a different type of tilapia, perhaps they were "blue". I had a very, very brief telephone conversation with an Illinois Conservation agent who told me in no uncertain terms that if I stocked them and the state found out they would either drain my pond or poison all of the fish. Since that time I have not openly considered stocking them. Interesting alternative SSS theory tho. The reason the conversation was so brief was because I don't think he reacted too well when I called the Illinois policy backward, stupid, uneducated, or something slightly less flattering.
Bing
The tilapia I raise are indeed Blue Tilapia (Oreochromis Aureas, T Aurea). Maybe your IL agent also takes calls for MO. I gave almost the same comments to the agent I spoke with. The first two people I spoke with about tilapia said they didn't care if I stocked them but they were obviously very low on the food chain. The story Mo gives on refusing stocking is fear of the T surviving winters in the 60 degree springs of the state. Kinda stupid since no reproduction or growth could occur IF they survived and they would be WAY to slow to avoid predation.
I would be happy to supply some T for demonstrations. Perhaps an unfiltered water tank with happy fish and 8ppm ammonia would demonstrate hardiness????LOL
