Existing Salton Sea Fishes
In the early 1950's the Department of Fish & Game planted many different species of fishes from the Gulf of California into the Sea. Three species, orangemouth corvina, bairdiella(croaker), and sargo have become established. In addition,in the 1970's Mozambique tilapia were introduced into the surrounding waterways and drainages around the sea and have invaded and established a prolific population within the Salton Sea. These four fish make up the existing sportfish populations to be found in the Sea today.
Back tan with flanks and belly silvery. Tail often yellow. Body long and narrow relative to body length. Mouth large reaching nearly to a vertical line from the back of the eye; lower jaw undershot. Center rays of tail longer making a posterior edge of the tail 'v' shaped.
The orangemouth corvina is one of two croakers, family Sciaenidae, found in the Sea. It is a close cousin to the white sea bass found off the Pacific Coast. The corvina was planted in the Sea several times between 1950 and 1955. It is not known exactly how may were introuced, but the number was not more 272. It is now abundant and the most popular game fish in the sea. Corvina regularly grow to over 20 pounds. The state record is 37 pounds and was taken in July,1988 by Dick Van Dam.
 A member of the grunt family, Haemulidae, the sargo has a dark vertical bar running down the body. The normal color is metallic, with a greenish tinge on the back and bronze below. The vertical bar appears when they are 2 or 3 inches long. Another common name is the China Croaker.
In 1951, 65 sargo were introduced into the sea and they are now well established although populations have seemed to diminish in recent years. The state record was caught at the Sea in 1972 and weighed 4lbs. 1oz. by Mike Leonte.
 Native to the Eastern Central Pacific: Gulf of California to Guatemala. Introduced with success into the Salton Sea in southern California, USA: Inhabits coastal waters, estuaries and river mouths. Feeds on fishes, small shrimps and other crustaceans. Common name: Ronco Croaker
 Native to African coastal rivers of Israel; Nile from below Albert Nile to the delta. Occurs in a wide variety of freshwater habitats like rivers, lakes, sewage canals and irrigation channels. Mainly diurnal. Feeds mainly on phytoplankton or benthic algae. Accedental in the Sea, but now is well established with an estimated population of over 4 million fish.
Tilapia are considered a valuable food fish throughout the world and there is a well established aquaculture built around this fish. Many people compare the tast of tilapia to that of flounder. Tilpia is said to be somewhat sweeter than flounder.
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