Scientific name Lates | ||
 | ||
Lower classifications Barramundi, Nile perch, Japanese lates, Tanganyika lates, Sleek lates | ||
Native fish barramundi lates calcarifer finniss river northern territory
Lates is a genus of lates perches belonging to the family Latidae. The generic name is also used as a common name, lates, for many of the species.
Contents
- Native fish barramundi lates calcarifer finniss river northern territory
- Big lates calcarifer sea bass fish cut into pieces by fish fillets worker in market
- Etymology
- Description
- Distribution and habitat
- Species
- Extinct species
- References
The Nile perch, L. niloticus, has become infamous as an invasive species introduced into the east African Lake Victoria, where many native cichlids now are extinct. In contrast to the Nile perch, several smaller members of the genus Lates with relatively restricted African distributions are themselves considered threatened.
Big lates calcarifer sea bass fish cut into pieces by fish fillets worker in market
Etymology
The generic name Lates derives from the Latin latēre (to be hidden).
Description
These fishes range in size from less than 30 cm (12 in) to 2 m (6 ft 7 in) in maximum overall length, the largest species reaching weights of up to 200 kg (440 lb). They all have the characteristic centropomid shape, with the two-part dorsal fin and general percoid form.
Inhabiting a variety of habitats, the Lates species are generally carnivorous, feeding on invertebrates and other fish.
Distribution and habitat
These fishes are native to freshwater and marine waters of Africa, Asia, the Indian Ocean and the western Pacific Ocean. Several species are endemic to the Rift Valley lakes.
Species
There are currently 11 recognized species in this genus:
Extinct species
Species within this genus include:
Extinct species within this genus lived from the Eocene epoch to Recent, approximately from 37.2 to 0.0 million years ago. Fossils have been found in Africa (Libya, Egypt, Kenya, Tunisia, Chad, Uganda, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Niger and Sudan), in Saudi Arabia and in Slovakia.