Forktail lates (Lates microlepis)

Scientific name: Lates microlepis Boulenger, 1898

The Forktail lates (Lates microlepis) is a freshwater fish of the family Latidae. In the aquarium it needs water at 24–28°C (75–82°F). Native range: Africa, Lake Tanganyika.

Forktail lates care at a glance

Temperature: 24–28°C (75–82°F)

Biology

Juveniles live in a specific inshore habitat until they reach 18 cm. Adults live in the superficial pelagic zone. Oviparous. Also caught using handlines.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name: Lates microlepis
Family: Latidae (Lates perches)
Order: Perciformes (Perch-like fish)
Class: Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length: 93.0
Environment: Freshwater; pelagic
Climate: Tropical
Distribution: Africa: Lake Tanganyika.
Conservation status (IUCN): Endangered (EN) (A2bcd)
Threat to humans: Harmless
Uses: Fisheries: commercial; gamefish: yes
Resilience: Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (tm=3-5)

Sources

Taxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Last updated 27 September 2026