Haplochromis guiarti
CR

Haplochromis guiarti

Declining

Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haplochromis_guiarti

Overview

Haplochromis guiarti is a species of cichlid endemic to Lake Victoria though it may now be extinct. This species can reach a length of 17.7 centimetres (7.0 in) SL. The specific name honours the French parasitologist Jules Guiart (1870-1965), who was a friend of Jacques Pellegrin's.

Haplochromis guiarti 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 critical breeding areas. Overfishing and destructive fishing practices have further reduced population numbers, while habitat modification from shoreline development has eliminated essential spawning grounds.

Threat summary

Habitat

This endemic cichlid inhabits the shallow rocky and sandy shores of Lake Victoria, particularly areas with complex substrate structure that provide shelter and breeding sites. The species prefers depths of 2-10 meters where it can access both benthic invertebrates and algal growth on rock surfaces.

FRESHWATER· major

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Frequently asked questions

Why is Haplochromis guiarti classified as Critically Endangered?
Haplochromis guiarti 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 guiarti 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 critical breeding areas. Overfishing and destructive fishing practices have further reduced population numbers, while habitat modification from shoreline development has eliminated essential spawning grounds.
Where does Haplochromis guiarti live?
Haplochromis guiarti occurs in Congo - Kinshasa, 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 guiarti?
The main threats to Haplochromis guiarti 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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