The significantly better growth and condition factor of Mayan cichlid in the mixed tilapia population can be explained by predation of a higher quantity of tilapia larvae than in the 95% male population. Mouth brooding tilapia females with eggs or larvae were observed in both tilapia populations from the 3rd experimental week (14 week old females). Even though no free swimming larvae or fingerlings were observed during normal feeding days; when fish were weighed
several tilapia females released their larvae into the tanks and both Mayan cichlid and tilapia males were observed preying on them. Male tilapia cannibalism was also observed in the 1:0 tilapia monoculture treatments. Mayan cichlids were observed eating formulated diet and also grabbing feces from the bottom of the tank. In the 95% male tilapia population most of their growth was probably due to feeding on the formulated diet