Scientific Name
Lates niloticus

Common Name
Nile perch

Biology
Inhabits channels, lakes and irrigation canals. Adults inhabit deep water, while juveniles are found in shallow water. Feeds on fish especially clupeids and Alestes (Ref. 13851); smaller fish also feed on larger crustaceans and insects. Juveniles are planktivorous (Ref. 28714). Threatened due to over harvesting (Ref. 58490). No length type given but assumed to be in TL.

Classification

Classified By

Linnaeus, 1758

Class

Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)

Order

Perch-like fish (Perciformes)

Family

Lates perches (Latidae)

Distribution

Region

Africa

Distribution

Africa: Widespread throughout the Ethiopian Region of Africa, occurring commonly in all major river basins including the Nile, Chad, Senegal, Volta and Congo. Present in the brackish waters of Lake Mariout, near Alexandria. Exists in Lakes Albert, Rudolph and Tana. Several countries report adverse ecological impact after introduction.

Range

27°N - 7°S

Environment

Climate

Tropical

Water Temperature From

Unknown °C

Water Temperature To

Unknown °C

Depth From - meters

10 m

Depth To - meters

60 m

Zone

demersal

Environment

Freshwater; demersal; potamodromous (Ref. 51243); depth range 10 - 60 m (Ref. 34290)

Trophic Level

4.48 s.e. 0.80 Based on diet studies.

Occurs in Marine / Salt water

False

Occurs in Brackish water

False

Occurs in Fresh Water

True

Occurs on Reefs

False

Is kept in Aquariums

False

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length

200 cm

Common Length

100.0 cm

Phylogenetic Diversity Index

PD50 = 0.5024 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses

Fisheries: highly commercial; aquaculture: commercial; gamefish: yes

Vulnerability

Moderate to high vulnerability (47 of 100)

Resilience

Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (K=0.17-0.19; tm=2-3)

Threat To Humans

Potential pest

IUCN Red List Status

Least Concern (LC)