The desired predator would ideally, reduce the proportion of exotic forage fish and augment the sport fishery. The target habitat for the introduction was the canal system of southern Dade County. The box-cut canals are waterways cut into the limestone that underlies much of peninsular South Florida. Initially conceived as a method to reclaim land for farming and later to alleviate hurricane related flooding, the canals are heavily used by recreational fishermen. The canals lack an extensive littoral or shallow zone and associated emergent plants.
Fishery biologists consider the canals substandard habitats for native fishes.
Indeed, recent population surveys taken throughout the urban canals report a low ratio of native fishes to exotics. The may be due in part to unsuitability of habitat and partially to competitive exclusion. Colonization of the canal system by native fishes is probably incomplete. There are over 40 species of fish present in the system. The majority of exotic fishes in the canals are cichlids.