Haplochromis latifasciatus
Overview
A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.
Haplochromis latifasciatus faces severe threats from the introduction of Nile perch (Lates niloticus) into Lake Victoria, which has caused dramatic population declines through predation and competition. Eutrophication from agricultural runoff and sewage has degraded water quality and reduced oxygen levels in the lake's deeper waters where this species historically thrived. Overfishing using fine-mesh nets has further reduced population numbers, while habitat modification from shoreline development continues to eliminate critical breeding areas.
Habitat
This cichlid species is endemic to Lake Victoria in East Africa, where it inhabits rocky shores and sandy-muddy bottoms at depths typically ranging from 2-15 meters. The species prefers areas with moderate water movement and adequate dissolved oxygen levels, often associating with submerged rocks and vegetation for feeding and shelter.
