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Definition of nile perch

nile perch

Plural:Nile perch
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nile perch Lexical Profile

• noun

1

A large, predatory, and commercially important freshwater fish (Lates niloticus) native to the Congo, Nile, Senegal, and Niger river basins in Africa, widely studied for its devastating ecological impact as an invasive species in Lake Victoria.

Example

"The introduction of the Nile perch to Lake Victoria in the 1950s led to the extinction of hundreds of native cichlid species."

• Nearby Words

nile
nile crocodile
nile monitor
nile perch
nilgai
nine-banded armadillo
ninetyfold

Word Origin & Etymology

Named after the Nile River, one of its primary native habitats in Africa, combined with the word 'perch' (from Latin 'perca'), a common name for various spiny-finned freshwater fishes.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Nile perch. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 12, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/nile perch
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