Pond Boss Forums MANAGING AN EXISTING POND Evaluating and adjusting fish populations Tilapia vs Bluegill ID

All fish in the picture are bgills and not hybrid bgills or tilapia. Easy visual references. Note the vertical body bars on fish in the picture. Body shape is also correct for bgills. The beginning or insertion of the dorsal fin in tilapia is slightly in front of or directly above the pectoral fin base whereas in bgill the dorsal fin insertion is behind the pectoral fin base.
At same lengths, a tilapia is narrower bodied similar to a green sunfish compared to a bgill. In the aquarium look at the back of the dorsal fin and anal fin, they will be noticably pointed on the tilapia and more rounded on the bgill. Also note back margin shape of tail (caudal) fin: bgill will be slightly indented in the middle and usually in most species of tilapia it will be very rounded like a bullhead tail (catfish tail is forked).

Do you think all those fish in the picture were this year's hatch? If yes, real good growth for the larger ones. I cannot explain why tilapia arenot more abuandant in your pond. You need someone more familiar with their habits than I am.