Tilapia loose and armed

[Blair Rice]

Has anyone found or has heard of any information regarding an incident in Modoc county, Calif. where some tilapia got loose into waterways and decimated the local native population?  I did not know Tilapia got so large.  No, really this is what I read and I am wanting to find out if the story is true or maybe made into something bigger than it really is, was or NOT at all. 

[Janet Little]

Modoc county is really cold.  I am wondering if Tilapia can take that cold water?

[Blair Rice]

Yes Janet, so maybe the Tilapia hung out at a hot springs and took out the visiting natives?  Looking for some hard facts because this incident apparently has something to do with this dreadful fish not being ALLOWED here @ northern California.

Just the facts mam, just the facts.

[Jon Parr]

Where, please, did you read such a rumor? Why are tilapia "dreadful"? And let's start with some facts right off. Tilapia (o. mossambicus and o. hornorum) are not illegal, invasive, or a threat to natives in NorCal. If you disagree, cite some reference material. I'm not particularly fond of the fish, but I'm even less fond of propagating lame rumors.

Blair Rice said:

Yes Janet, so maybe the Tilapia hung out at a hot springs and took out the visiting natives?  Looking for some hard facts because this incident apparently has something to do with this dreadful fish not being ALLOWED here @ northern California.

Just the facts mam, just the facts.

[Blair Rice]

Jon,
A gentleman I met had a conversation with a woman at Fish & Game and he was repeating to me her remarks. Thank you Jon for your feed back...I could not find any info. on said Modoc happening so......