Nile Perch
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 and Lake Turkana, 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
Adult Nile perch feed on fish, larger crustaceans and insects. Juveniles of the species are herbivorous.
