NILE PERCH

Lates niloticus

Created By:

Mrs. Henry

Distribution

• This fish is native to Lake Chad, and the Nile and Zaire Rivers in Africa.

• It was introduced to Lake Victoria in the 1950’s, where it can be found today in huge numbers.

Effects on People

• The Nile Perch provides food for locals. • This fish caused a decline of small fisheries and

an increase in large fishing operations• Increased fish exports=more money and jobs!

Effects on the Ecosystem

• Extinction of 200 species of cichlids

• Huge increase in algae levels, therefore, levels of oxygen in the Lake decreased.

• Increased # of insects

( prey of cichlids)

Position in Food Web

Changes to the Food Web

• Decline in fish eaten by the Nile Perch such as catfish and lungfish.

• Increase in algae causing death of small animals and plant life.

So Successful!

• No known predators living in Lake Victoria.

• Reproduce in large numbers. A female can produce up to 16 million eggs at one time!!!!

The Future of the Nile Perch

• Population may decline due to inadequate food supply and overfishing.

The Nile Perch

• I hope you learned more about an invasive species and how it can impact the ecosystem in which it now lives.