Stocking Tilapia in our pond controlled algae - now we have other issues…grasses and gators

We stocked our pond with Tilapia in Spring 2023 as they are helpful in controlling algae and other floating vegetation. Well, the tilapia did a good job and all of last year the pond was relatively free of those unsightly plants. The tilapia typically don’t survive the winter so it is time to stock them again for 2024. However, I want to control maidencane along the shoreline… and I need to know how tilapia are going to coexist with alligators that are about 2’ long right now. I figure the tilapia don’t stand a chance as those gators grow. Any ideas for getting rid of the maidencane and dealing with the gators?
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[@shannonbrophy3687]

It seems that the gators here in St. Petersburg Florida only become aggressive against other animals (including other gators) during mating season (April). The will coexist with any fish, as well as use them as a food source (if the tilapia swims near them when they need to eat). Some tilapia will survive, and some won't. Also, gators travel to different ponds, they don't always stay put, they move along during mating season when they are looking for a mate.

[@corporategonecountry]

Good info. Thank you. Last year I stocked with 3"-4" tilapia. These small gators might have trouble eating the bigger sized fish, say 5"-6". I might try that.

[@shannonbrophy3687]

I wonder if the 7 gators ate the tilapia, or if the tilapia brought the gators to the pond?

[@corporategonecountry]

Good question. I figure the Tilapia brought the mama gator to the pond and the seven little ones I saw came from the same hatch.