Nile Perch

The Nile perch is a large freshwater fish native to the Nile River and parts of eastern Africa. It can grow over 6 feet long and weigh more than 400 pounds. Introduced to Lake Victoria in the 1950s for commercial fishing, it quickly became dominant, outcompeting native fish species and disrupting the ecosystem. The Nile perch is valued for its size and as a food source, but its presence has led to ecological changes, including the decline of native species and altered biodiversity. It highlights how introducing non-native species can have significant environmental impacts.