What is the scientific name of the Nile perch, one of Africa’s largest freshwater fish?

The scientific name of the Nile perch is Lates niloticus. This very large freshwater fish is native to much of Africa, where it occurs in river and lake systems including the Nile, Congo, Senegal, and Niger basins.

Nile perch are important predators and can grow to roughly two metres in length and weigh more than 200 kilograms. Their introduction into Lake Victoria during the 20th century supported a major commercial fishery, but it also contributed to severe declines in many native cichlid species.

The Nile perch is not the same fish as the barramundi, although both belong to the genus Lates. Barramundi is usually classified as Lates calcarifer and is native to the Indo-Pacific region. The Nile perch’s common name refers to its African distribution, not to exclusive residence in the Nile.