Percichthys melanops
CR

Percichthys melanops

Declining

Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA) — Species of ray-finned fish

Overview

Percichthys melanops is a species of temperate perch endemic to Chile, where it occurs in pre-Andean streams. This species can reach 20 cm (7.9 in) TL.

Percichthys melanops faces severe population decline primarily due to habitat degradation from agricultural runoff and urban development around its native lake systems in Chile. The introduction of non-native salmonid species has created intense competition for food resources and spawning sites. Dam construction and water extraction for irrigation have significantly altered the natural flow regimes and water levels critical for this endemic fish's reproductive cycle.

Threat summary

Habitat

This endemic Chilean fish inhabits cool, clear freshwater lakes and their associated tributaries in the central Chilean lake district. It prefers well-oxygenated waters with rocky or gravelly substrates, typically at elevations between 200-800 meters in temperate lake ecosystems.

Conservation measures underway

Habitat & natural process restorationSpecies recoveryEx-situ conservationPolicies and regulations

Other threatened species in PERCICHTHYIDAE

EN

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Nannoperca pygmaea

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Juan Fernandez Petrel

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Black Petrel

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Chimney Swift

Chaetura pelagica

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Pink-footed Shearwater

Ardenna creatopus

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Frequently asked questions

Why is Percichthys melanops classified as Critically Endangered?
Percichthys melanops 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. Percichthys melanops faces severe population decline primarily due to habitat degradation from agricultural runoff and urban development around its native lake systems in Chile. The introduction of non-native salmonid species has created intense competition for food resources and spawning sites. Dam construction and water extraction for irrigation have significantly altered the natural flow regimes and water levels critical for this endemic fish's reproductive cycle.
Where does Percichthys melanops live?
Percichthys melanops occurs in Chile. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Percichthys melanops?
The main threats to Percichthys melanops are 11.1, 2.1, 3.2, and 7.2. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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