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Which East African lakes have endemic fish species?
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East African lakes
Mountains and lakes of East Africa.
Many East African lakes possess a rich and varied fish life, with a high proportion of species being endemic to individual lakes. The Cichlidae family, in particular, is noted for its tendency to form new species within these environments.1
Specific lakes identified as containing endemic fish species include:
- Lake Rukwa: The fish stock here is dominated by the endemic Tilapia rukwaensis.1
- Lake Victoria and Lake Kyoga: These lakes contain many unique species, including between 100 and 200 species of the Cichlidae family.1
While many lakes in the region support diverse populations, the majority of the lakes are characterized by a high proportion of species that are endemic to their specific lake systems.1