Question

Introduction of Nile Perch in Lake Victoria of South Africa resulted in
(A) excessive growth of water weeds
(B) elimination of water seeds
(C) elimination of many species of cichlid fish
(D) excessive growth of cichlid fish.

Answer 1

Hint: After the introduction of Nile Perch into Lake Victoria it was observed that the number of predator fishes is less than the number of prey fishes which was certainly unusual to see. Usually, the number of prey is less in nature.

Complete answer:
Nile perch was introduced to Lake Victoria in 1950. The introduction caused hundreds of species of native cichlids to near-extinction. They were introduced to boost the fishing industry but were boon for a short period only.

Additional Information: Lake Victoria comes under one of the African Great Lakes. The lake was given name after Queen Victoria. Nile Perch is a species of freshwater fish. It is also known as Victoria Perch. It is silver in color. The introduction of this fish into the lake was not beneficial for anyone. Many local people have to leave their traditional fishing as cichlid fish was getting near to the extinct.
Cichlids are the fish from the family Cichlidae. They have unique features that distinguish them from fishes from other families. Those features are-
-Instead of two, single nostrils on each side of the forehead.
-Bony shelf absent below the orbit of the eye.
Cichlids are usually not that big and used as a food source and game fish.
So, the correct answer is ‘elimination of many species of cichlid fish’.

Note: This introduction of a new species to a new but previously existing ecosystem is known as Alien Species Invasion. These are the species that are non – native to the ecosystem and may cause harm to existing species or the surrounding environment.