Types of fish in Uganda

Fish that are the target of most commercial and subsistence exploitation include species like Nile perch (Lates niloticus), Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus), Pebbly Fish or Silversides (Alestes baremoze), Bagrus Catfish (Bagrus), Clarias Catfish (Clarias), Tiger Fish (Hydrocynus), the Silver Cyprinid (Rastrineobola argentea), Lungfish (Protopterus), and the Haplochromines (Haplochromis).

[3] The Nile Perch (Lates niloticus) is locally known as "Empuuta", especially in the central region or "Puuta" in Northern Uganda.

In Uganda, it is a native species to Lake Albert where it is locally known as Gur, and the River Nile below Murchison Falls.

Although 'the Nile Perch was introduced into Lake Victoria in the early 1960s, it took more than 10 years to get fully established in the new ecosystem.

Its common name refers to Lake Singida, but this population is the result of an introduction that happened in the 1950s.

[6] In Uganda, it is widely distributed in the Rift Valley Lakes Edward, George, Albert, Victoria and the Nile system.

[7] The Silver Cyprinid (Rastrineobola argentea), also known as the Lake Victoria Sardine, is locally known as "Mukene".

[8] It is a small species of pelagic, freshwater ray-finned fish in the carp family (Cyprinidae) from East Africa, and can grow to a length of 9 cm (3.5 in).

In Uganda, it lives in the Nile basin, including lakes such as Albert, Edward, Victoria, Nabugabo, and Kyoga.

The Elongate Tiger Fish (Hydrocynus forskahlii), locally known as Ngassa, is found in the Nile and Lake Albert.

[7] The Pebbly Fish or Silversides (Alestes baremoze) is locally known as Angara.

[7] The Electric Catfish (Malapterurus electricus) occurs in the Nile (exclusive of Lake Victoria).

The electric organ, capable of discharging 300–400 volts, is derived from pectoral muscle and surrounds almost the entire body.