Lates

Lates is a genus of predatory fish, family Latidae, comprising 11 recognized extant species native to freshwater and marine waters of Africa, Asia, the Indian Ocean and the western Pacific Ocean, with several species endemic to the African Rift Valley lakes. Members range from under 30 centimeters to 200 centimeters in length and share the characteristic centropomid body shape, with a two-part dorsal fin and general percoid form; all species are carnivorous, feeding on aquatic invertebrates and fish. The Nile perch, the genus best-known member, became notoriously invasive after introduction to Lake Victoria, driving native cichlid species toward extinction, while several other Lates species face their own conservation concerns in their native ranges.