Lates microlepis
CR

Lates microlepis

Declining

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

Overview

A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.

Lates microlepis faces severe population decline primarily due to overfishing and the introduction of non-native species in Lake Victoria. The species has experienced dramatic reductions in abundance since the 1980s, coinciding with the introduction of Nile perch and increased fishing pressure. Habitat degradation from pollution and eutrophication has further compromised the lake ecosystem, while climate-induced changes in water levels and temperature affect breeding success.

Threat summary

Habitat

Lates microlepis is endemic to Lake Victoria in East Africa, inhabiting the open waters and rocky shores of this massive freshwater lake. The species typically occurs in deeper waters and rocky areas where it feeds on smaller fish and invertebrates.

Marine oceanic· majorMarine intertidal· majorWetlands (inland) - Permanent rivers/streams· major

Conservation measures underway

Resource & habitat protectionSpecies recoveryCompliance and enforcement

Other threatened species in LATIDAE

CR

Lates mariae

Declining
Lates angustifronsEN

Lates angustifrons

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VU

Lates macrophthalmus

Stable
Japanese LatesVU

Japanese Lates

Lates japonicus

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Threatened in Burundi

Curlew SandpiperVU

Curlew Sandpiper

Calidris ferruginea

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EN

Polystachya longiscapa

Unknown
VU

Brazzaea anceyi

Unknown
Southern Ground-hornbillVU

Southern Ground-hornbill

Bucorvus leadbeateri

Declining

Frequently asked questions

Why is Lates microlepis classified as Critically Endangered?
Lates microlepis 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. Lates microlepis faces severe population decline primarily due to overfishing and the introduction of non-native species in Lake Victoria. The species has experienced dramatic reductions in abundance since the 1980s, coinciding with the introduction of Nile perch and increased fishing pressure. Habitat degradation from pollution and eutrophication has further compromised the lake ecosystem, while climate-induced changes in water levels and temperature affect breeding success.
Where does Lates microlepis live?
Lates microlepis occurs in Burundi, Congo - Kinshasa, Tanzania, and Zambia. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Lates microlepis?
The main threats to Lates microlepis are 5.4, 9.3, 9.3.4, and ai-1. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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