List of Fish of East Africa

East Africa is renowned for its breathtaking landscapes and incredibly diverse wildlife, a richness that extends far beyond its terrestrial plains into its vast lakes, rivers, and coastal waters. This aquatic realm is home to a fascinating array of species, many of which are unique to the region.

In this comprehensive list, we’ve compiled 47 Fish of East Africa, showcasing a remarkable range from the familiar African catfish to the formidable Yellowfin tuna. For each species, you’ll find below essential details including its Scientific Name, Primary Habitat, Max Length (cm), and Conservation Status, organized for easy reference.

What makes East Africa such a hotspot for fish diversity?

The region’s unique geography plays a significant role, particularly the Great Rift Valley, which has created ancient, deep freshwater lakes like Lake Victoria, Tanganyika, and Malawi. These lakes are known as “evolutionary laboratories,” leading to an incredible number of endemic species, especially cichlids. Additionally, East Africa’s extensive coastline along the Indian Ocean supports a rich marine ecosystem.

Are any of these fish species endangered?

Unfortunately, many fish species across East Africa face significant conservation challenges. Overfishing, habitat degradation due to pollution and deforestation, and the introduction of invasive species are major threats. The conservation status for each entry in the list below provides specific details, highlighting the urgent need for protection efforts for many of these unique aquatic inhabitants.

Fish of East Africa

Images and Descriptions

Nile tilapia

Widespread, deep-bodied tilapia important for fisheries and aquaculture; adaptable omnivore common in lakes and rivers

Nile perch

Large predatory perch famous for transforming Lake Victoria’s ecology and supporting major commercial fisheries

Victoria tilapia

Smaller native tilapia of Lake Victoria that has declined since Nile perch arrived; locally important native species

Redbelly tilapia

Adaptable, often colorful tilapia found in shallow waters and estuaries; common in local fisheries

Silver cyprinid (dagaa)

Tiny schooling fish central to local diets and commerce; commonly dried and sold as “dagaa”

Tropheus cichlid

Algae-grazing rock-dweller with striking colors and many local variants popular with aquarists

Brichard’s cichlid

Social, colony-forming rock dweller with delicate fins; known for cooperative breeding behavior

Pelagic sardine cichlid

Slim, schooling endemic cichlid that feeds on plankton in midwater layers

Tanganyika perch

Smaller native perch important to local fisheries, often schooling in open water

Malawi zebra cichlid

Classic “mbuna” rock-dwelling cichlid with bold stripes and strong territorial behavior; popular in aquaria

Peacock cichlid

Colorful, insect-eating cichlids (“peacocks”) prized by hobbyists and endemic to Lake Malawi

African catfish

Large, hardy catfish with whisker-like barbels; omnivorous and important for fisheries and aquaculture

African tigerfish

Fierce, toothy predator prized by anglers for its aggressive strikes and speed

African lungfish

Air-breathing lungfish that can estivate in mud during dry seasons; elongated and prehistoric-looking

Freshwater mormyrid (elephantfish)

Weakly electric fish used for navigation and communication, with elongated body and rounded snout

Lake Victoria tilapia (small)

Once common native tilapia of Lake Victoria that has declined in many areas; colorful and important to local communities

Rastrineobola (young schools)

Highly abundant small fish forming dense schools that fuel local fisheries and food security

Mudskipper

Amphibious fish that “walks” on mudflats, breathes air and is a charismatic mangrove resident

Mangrove jack

Robust snapper that uses mangroves as juvenile habitat and reefs as adults; prized for sport and table

Whale shark

World’s largest fish; gentle plankton-feeder often seen near productive coastal upwellings and reefs

Humphead wrasse

Large, slow-growing reef fish with a bulbous forehead and thick lips; vulnerable to overfishing

Common lionfish

Venomous, striped predator native to the Indian Ocean; notable for ornate fins and ambush hunting

Blue-barred parrotfish

Colorful herbivore that scrapes algae from coral and contributes to sand production and reef health

Giant trevally

Powerful jack and top predator prized by sport fishers; often chases prey in shallow water

Yellowfin tuna

Fast, migratory pelagic tuna supporting major commercial fisheries; known for endurance and speed

Skipjack tuna

Schooling pelagic tuna important to coastal and industrial fisheries, commonly canned worldwide

Great barracuda

Long, torpedo-shaped predator with a fearsome jaw; common around reefs, wrecks and seagrass beds

Blacktip reef shark

Small reef shark often seen near snorkelers and divers; identified by black-tipped fins

Emperor angelfish

Striking, banded reef fish with vivid colors that often inhabits deeper reef slopes

Moorish idol

Distinctive disk-shaped fish with long dorsal filament and bold black, white and yellow bands

Seahorse

Small upright-swimming fish that clings to vegetation with a prehensile tail; threatened by habitat loss and trade

Reef butterflyfish

Colorful, laterally compressed fish that feed on coral polyps and small invertebrates; reef icons

Giant grouper

Massive reef-associated grouper and top predator; slow-growing and vulnerable to overfishing

Milkfish

Silvery, torpedo-shaped fish important in small-scale fisheries and aquaculture across the tropics

African pompano

Deep-bodied, silvery pelagic fish with flowing juvenile fins; occasionally found inshore and offshore

Malabar snapper

Robust snapper common on reef slopes and over rocky bottoms, valued in local markets

Indian mackerel

Fast, schooling pelagic fish common inshore and important to commercial and artisanal fisheries

Rabbitfish (Siganus)

Planktivorous/herbivorous coastal fish that often grazes seagrass and algae and forms small schools

Mangrove snapper

Juveniles use sheltered mangroves before moving to reefs as adults; strong local sport and food fish

Mozambique tilapia

Tolerant tilapia of coastal waters and estuaries; important to local fisheries but threatened in parts by habitat change

Silver moony

Deep-bodied, silvery fish often seen in brackish waters and coastal lagoons; tolerates a range of salinities

Bull shark

Robust shark that tolerates freshwater and often inhabits estuaries and river mouths; powerful predator

Manta ray

Large filter-feeding ray that visits productive coastal waters and offshore upwellings; threatened by fisheries and bycatch

Spotted sweetlips

Juveniles often seen in mangroves and lagoons; adults feed on small invertebrates over reefs

Rockskipper blenny

Small comb-toothed blennies that graze algae on rocks and are common in tide pools and shallow reefs

Frigate tuna

Small, fast-moving pelagic tuna that often associates with floating debris and larger predators

Sicklefin lemon shark (juveniles often inshore)

Slow-moving coastal shark found in warm shallow seas; juveniles use sheltered habitats nearshore