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Originally Posted by blue_ram  Mayan Cichlids (Cichlasoma urophthalmus) are the devil's spawn. They have invaded the waters down here in South Florida and kill off the native bluegills and bass by eating their eggs. |
Just like Tilapia mariae, oscars, port acaras, pike killifish, rd/midas, common plecs, Jewel cichlids, mbuna, nile/blue/mozambique/hybrid tilapia, common porthole cats and peacock bass? Well peacock bass may not eat native species' eggs, they just go and eat the whole fish.
Mayan cichlids and other fish are nuisance species because of people. Displacement of natural native habitats and populations are caused by people introducing non-native species or even species that are native to the country but not that particular locality, driving endemic species to extinction such as the Nile Perch being introduced into Lake Victoria in Africa or the Jaguar cichlid being introduced into native waters in Central America.
Some species down there in FLA have been introduced accidentally through fish hatcheries as well.
So before you go bashing a perfectly innocent fish of doing what it's been programmed to do I suggest you consider your captive fish releasing locals first.
As for the ID mix-up, I would seriously doubt Mr. Bragalots true RT's. The best way to find an actual RT is to arm yourself with the knowledge on how to properly ID one. If they tell you, hey, I finally got some of those RT's in, you look them over and you think not you don't have to take them. Your best bet is to go with someone reputable online though. If you want some that badly it's worth the shipping cost. The second I get some free tankspace I'm filling it with a nice female. I love Uros personally, but I've never had a RT and a female RT's been on my wishlist for a very long time.