CR

Haplochromis michaeli

Declining

Overview

Haplochromis michaeli is a species of cichlid endemic to Lake Victoria. It is critically endangered, though it may now be extinct. This species can reach a length of 14.5 centimetres (5.7 in) SL. The specific name honours the collector of the type, the British fisheries scientist Michael Graham (1888-1972).

Haplochromis michaeli faces severe threats from the introduction of Nile perch (Lates niloticus) into Lake Victoria, which has caused dramatic population declines across native cichlid species. Water pollution from agricultural runoff and urban development has degraded water quality in its shallow breeding areas. Overfishing and destructive fishing practices have further reduced population numbers, while habitat modification from shoreline development has eliminated critical spawning sites.

Threat summary

Habitat

Haplochromis michaeli inhabits the shallow, rocky and sandy shores of Lake Victoria, typically found in areas with moderate vegetation cover. This cichlid species prefers depths of 1-10 meters where it can find suitable breeding territories among rocks and aquatic plants.

FRESHWATER· major

Conservation measures underway

Species recoveryPolicies and regulations

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Frequently asked questions

Why is Haplochromis michaeli classified as Critically Endangered?
Haplochromis michaeli is classified as Critically Endangered — facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild — because population sizes are very small, declining sharply, or restricted to a tiny range. Haplochromis michaeli faces severe threats from the introduction of Nile perch (Lates niloticus) into Lake Victoria, which has caused dramatic population declines across native cichlid species. Water pollution from agricultural runoff and urban development has degraded water quality in its shallow breeding areas. Overfishing and destructive fishing practices have further reduced population numbers, while habitat modification from shoreline development has eliminated critical spawning sites.
Where does Haplochromis michaeli live?
Haplochromis michaeli occurs in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Haplochromis michaeli?
The main threats to Haplochromis michaeli are 8.3, 9.3, ai-1, and ai-2. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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