The Impact of Nile Perch on Cichlid Fish Extinction

What caused the extinction of cichlid fish?

Was the extinction of cichlid fish primarily caused by the introduction of Nile perch into Lake Victoria?

Reason for Cichlid Extinction

Yes, the extinction of cichlid fish was mainly caused by the arrival of Nile perch into Lake Victoria. The Nile perch, introduced in the 1950s, proved to be ecologically disruptive by wiping out various species from the lake and causing a significant shift in the ecosystem.

The decline of cichlid fish population in Lake Victoria can be attributed to the introduction of Nile perch, a predatory fish, which disrupted the ecological balance of the lake. The Nile perch, a species introduced into the ecosystem in the 1950s, led to the collapse of the cichlid population due to its predatory nature.

With the Nile perch preying on a wide range of species, including the cichlid fish, the ecosystem experienced a significant shift, ultimately causing the decline of the cichlid population. The arrival of the Nile perch created an imbalance in the food chain, leading to the extinction of cichlid fish in Lake Victoria.

Therefore, the primary reason for the extinction of cichlid fish was the disruptive presence of Nile perch in Lake Victoria, which resulted in a significant loss of biodiversity and the collapse of the cichlid population.