What kind of fish live in the Nile River?

What kind of fish live in the Nile River?

Many varieties of fish are found in the Nile system. Notable among those found in the lower Nile system are the Nile perch (which may attain a weight of more than 175 pounds), the bolti (a species of Tilapia), the barbel, several species of catfish, the elephant-snout fish, and the tigerfish, or water leopard.

What is the biggest fish in the Nile?

Nile perch
The most famous—and undoubtedly biggest—catch on Lake Turkana is the enormous Nile perch, which can grow up to 2 meters (6 feet) and weigh as much as 200 kilograms (440 pounds).

Is Nile perch a good fish to eat?

Nile perch the highest fish export from Kenya is estimated to have 710 mg of Omega-3 fatty acids per 100g Nile perch the highest content of Omega-3- found in the fish species. It has gained international recognition and is considered as one of the world greatest table fish.

Is Nile perch extinct?

The introduction of Nile perch caused an economic boom, but almost caused cichlids, a native fish, to go extinct. Discover the role an invasive species can play in an ecosystem and social system. Nile perch were introduced to Lake Victoria in the 1950s to boost the fishing industry.

Are there piranhas in the Nile river?

Known as the “piranha of Africa,” the giant tigerfish is one of several fish species that makes its home in the Nile.

Is Nile perch the same as tilapia?

Now, there is a fish called a Nile perch — but it’s a totally different species. … Tilapia is a common name for several different mid-size species of omnivorous cichlids. Like the true Nile perch they are from Africa and the Middle East, and were said to be a famed food of the pharaohs.

Is Nile perch high in mercury?

Levels of mercury and other heavy metals in Nile perch at present is, therefore, not a severe environmental issue; however, urgent regulatory measures should be taken to minimize metal input into the lake to maintain the current levels in the fish.

Where is Nile perch found?

Africa
Nile perch, (species Lates niloticus), large food and game fish of the family Centropomidae (order Perciformes), found in the Nile and other rivers and lakes of Africa. A large-mouthed fish, the Nile perch is greenish or brownish above and silvery below and grows to about 1.8 m (6 feet) and 140 kg (300 pounds).

Is there sharks in the Nile river?

After some research, we came up with a list of aquatic animals that we had no idea live in Egypt’s sacred river. There aren’t any great white sharks, as claimed by a 9-year-old expert on Wiki-answers. But it turns out there are more reptiles than just the famous Nile crocodile, as well as some pretty ferocious fish.

What kind of fish live in the Upper Nile?

Also known as the eel catfish, the mudfish is one of the few fish species capable of living in the Upper Nile. Catfish, in general, are known for their resilience, making them more likely than other species to survive in rivers with high rates of water pollution and habitat destruction.

Are there catfish in the Nile River?

Okay, so maybe it’s not so surprising that catfish are one of the more common species in the Nile. As bottom feeders, they can live on literally just about any kind of diet…including garbage. The Vundu catfish, a fish of many names across many countries, can grow up to 130 kg.

What kind of fish is Nile perch?

The Nile perch is a fish of substantial economic and food-security importance in East Africa. Originally described as Labrus niloticus, among the marine wrasses, the species has also been referred to as Centropomus niloticus.

How do fish survive in the Nile River?

During drought periods, mudfish bury themselves in the mud where they can survive for several months using a metabolism-slowing process called “aestivation” (similar to hibernation). Okay, so maybe it’s not so surprising that catfish are one of the more common species in the Nile.