Lates Cuvier, 1828, is a genus of freshwater and marine fish in family Centropomidae of order Perciformes. The type species is L. niloticus, the Nile perch. The Lates species are native to the Indian and western Pacific Oceans and to rivers and lakes in Africa; several species are endemic to the Rift Valley lakes. The generic name is also used as a common name, lates, for many of the species.

These fishes range in size from less than 30 cm (12 in) to 2 m (6 ft 7 in) in maximum overall length, the largest species reaching weights of up to 200 kg (440 lb). They all have the characteristic centropomid shape, with the two-part dorsal fin and general percoid form.

Inhabiting a variety of different habitats, the Lates species are generally carnivorous, feeding on invertebrates and other fish.

The Nile perch of this genus has become infamous as an invasive species in Lake Victoria in eastern Africa.

The generic name Lates derives from the Latin latēre (to be hidden).

Species

• Lates angustifrons – Tanganyika lates
• Lates calcarifer – barramundi
• Lates japonicus – Japanese lates
• Lates longispinis – Rudolf lates
• Lates macrophthalmus – Albert lates
• Lates mariae – bigeye lates
• Lates microlepis – forktail lates
• Lates niloticus – Nile perch
• Lates stappersii – sleek lates

References

• "Lates" (http://www.fishbase.org/Eschmeyer/GeneraSummary.cfm?ID=Lates). FishBase. Ed. Ranier Froese and Daniel Pauly. October 2004 version. N.p.: FishBase, 2004.
• "Lates" (TSN 167668) (http://www.itis.usda.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=167668). Integrated Taxonomic Information System. N.p.: Integrated Taxonomic Information System, 2004. Accessed on 20 December 2004.