Lates niloticus

(Linnaeus, 1758)

Vernacular names
English : Nile perch
French : Perche du Nil

Classification
Class : Teleostei
Order : Carangaria i. s.
Family : Latidae
Notes : No subspecies known.

Identification
Adults can grow to 2 meters in length for a weight of 200 kg. Broad mouth, large hump on back, rounded dusky fins. Coloration silvery grey to dark grey with indistinct clear mottling when adult, lighter on belly. Juveniles mottled brown.

Range and habitat
The species occurs in Africa, mostly in the Nile river basin and in most of the big river basins in western Africa (Chad, Volta, Congo and Senegal). Lives in rivers, channels, lakes and irrigation canals.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : LEAST CONCERN
CITES : Not Listed
Status : The species has a very large range and seems to suffer from no major threats. Introduced in a few countries and sometimes considered as a pest.
Ex-Situ Programs : None known

Observation

 

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