I have a choice, a Gator eating the fish food I throw or a group of Muscovy ducks doing the same. The gator was fed dog or cat kibble when he was small. Feeding, harassing, or killing a gator is illegal in FL without a permit. I will admit to none listed. He does keep the ducks away! Gator tail is good eating! It is on the menu at most all the fish restaurants in FL. Particularly enjoyed by Bull Dogs, Seminoles, & Buckeyes.
For years I have tried to establish a prosperous breeding population of tilapia with little success. I have stocked tilapia but not developed the population that I expect. Too little cover weeds for the young to hide, pond too warm during the hot months for breeding, occasional cold water inversions of the pond, heavy foraging by brooder BG & small LMB on the fry & fingerlings ? I have never seen YOY tilapia.
I have some FA at the bank but nothing to be concerned about. The pond is a wonderful olive green all year long with a clarity of 24-36" without fertilization.
