What type of fish is primarily threatened by environmental degradation in Lake Victoria?

The fish primarily threatened by environmental degradation in Lake Victoria is the cichlid. This group of fish is particularly diverse in Lake Victoria and includes numerous endemic species that are adapted to the unique ecological conditions of the lake. Environmental challenges such as pollution, invasive species (notably the Nile perch), and overfishing have severely impacted cichlid populations.

Cichlids are highly specialized and occupy specific ecological niches, making them particularly vulnerable to changes in their habitat. When water quality declines or invasive species disrupt the food web, it can lead to significant declines in cichlid numbers. Their unique breeding behaviors and lifecycle also make them more susceptible to these environmental stressors compared to other fish like trout, catfish, or salmon, which are not native to this ecosystem and have different adaptive strategies.