Lates niloticus
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Metazoa Phylum: Chordata Class: Actinopterygii Order: Perciformes Family: Centropomidae Genus: Lates Species: niloticus
Binomial name
Lates niloticus

Table of contents

1 Description 2 Distribution 3 Habitat 4 Diet

Description

Nile perch can live for up to 16 years and are sexually mature at 3 years of age. Nile perch are silver in colour with a blue tinge. They have a distinctive dark black eye, with a bright yellow outer ring. They are similar to barramundi, however nile perch are capable of breeding in freshwater, whereas barramundi require seawater to breed. The fish is valued as a sport fish mainly due to its size.

Distribution

The Nile perch, Lates niloticus, is one of the world's largest freshwater fishes, a fierce predator that dominates its surroundings. Its maximum length is nearly 2 meters, maximum weight over 200 kg. Nile perch are native to Africa and occur naturally throughout the Ethiopia region of Africa, in Lake Albert, Lake Turkana and Lake Rudolph, in the brackish waters of lakes such as Lake Mariout and also occur commonly in all major river basins including the Nile, Chad, Senegal, Volta and Zaire. Nile perch have been introduced to many other lakes in Africa, including Lake Victoria where they are fished commercially. See Lake Victoria for an example of the impact of introducing the nile perch in a foreign ecosystem.

Habitat

Nile perch prefer warm, tropical waters where they grow to large sizes and can occur in high densities. Adult Nile perch occupy all habitats of a lake with sufficient oxygen concentrations, while small juveniles are restricted to shallow and/or nearshore environments.

Diet