Africa is famous for its animals. Giraffes, elephants, and lions roam its savannas. Gorillas and leopards move through its rainforests. Hippos and crocodiles swim in its rivers.
Along with the hippos and crocodiles, the rivers, streams, and lakes of Africa are full of freshwater fish species. There are over 3200 species of freshwater fish in Africa. This is the second highest diversity of freshwater fish on Earth. Only South America has more freshwater species.
African lungfish are eel-like fish that can breathe out of water. Cichlids are a group of colorful small fish that evolved into hundreds of different species in just one lake, Lake Victoria. Tigerfish have sharp teeth and are powerful hunters. Elephantfish live in the rivers of the Congo rainforest. They have long trunk-like noses and are very smart like their more well-known namesake. These are just a few examples of the great diversity of freshwater fish in Africa.
The freshwater fish of Africa are not nearly as famous as some of their neighbors like hippos and crocodiles, but these species are still very important. Fish are essential parts of food chains, including for people. Fishing provides many jobs and is the main part of the economy for many communities.
Many African freshwater fish species are declining in number due to habitat destruction, pollution, overfishing, invasive species, and climate change. For example, Kafue Flats in Zambia was one of Southern Africa’s most productive freshwater fisheries. Then, dam construction disrupted natural flood cycles that fish need for their mating cycles, and the number of fish dropped.
The good news is that scientists and conservation groups have ideas for how to fix some of the problems facing Africa’s freshwater fish. Restoring natural river flows, improving water quality, and removing obsolete dams may help Africa’s fish recover.
Educator tip: Have students research fish species found in a local river, lake, or coastal area. What environmental conditions support these species? How might those conditions be changing?
David Brown adapted this story for Mongabay Kids. It is based on an article by David Akana, published on Mongabay News.
