Forktail lates

Drawing from the first description

Lates microlepis is an East African Lake Tanganyika endemic living predatory fish from the family of giant perch ( Latidae ).

Features

Lates microlepis is a maximum of 93 cm long and can reach a maximum weight of 8.3 kg. Lates microlepis has a typical giant perch shape with a high hull, two separate dorsal fins and a flattened head with wide mouth. The caudal fin is slightly emarginate. Juveniles are golden yellow color, its tail fin is spotted. Adult fish are silvery.

Way of life

Lates microlepis lives as young fish up to a length of about 18 cm more coastal, between aquatic plants and in estuaries, as adult pelagic predatory fish in open water. It feeds mainly on piscivor there endemic herring Stolothrissa tanganicae.

Endangering

The stock of Lates microlepis has declined by more than 50 % due to overfishing in the last 20 years and is considered by the IUCN as endangered ( Endangered ).