{"id":9304,"date":"2023-11-09T02:15:12","date_gmt":"2023-11-09T01:15:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.lakebeyond.com\/?p=9304"},"modified":"2023-11-09T02:15:12","modified_gmt":"2023-11-09T01:15:12","slug":"are-there-any-fish-in-lake-titicaca","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lakebeyond.com\/are-there-any-fish-in-lake-titicaca\/","title":{"rendered":"Are There Any Fish In Lake Titicaca"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Introduction<\/h2>\n

Lake Titicaca, located on the border between Peru and Bolivia, is one of South America’s natural wonders. Spanning an impressive 8462 square kilometers, Lake Titicaca is one of the largest lakes in the world. Boasting its own biodiversity, the lake is home to a variety of species from birds to llamas. But one of the greatest mysteries remains: Are there any fish in Lake Titicaca? <\/p>\n

Background<\/h2>\n

The Native Inca population have inhabited the region for thousands of years and have long reported the presence of fish in the lake. However, two of the lake’s most notably creatures, the Titicaca Water Frog and the Giant Green Titicaca Lake Rubber Frog, are amphibian species rather than fish. It is presumed that many centuries of hunting by humans has decimated the population of fish living in the lake. Recent research, however, has suggested that there might still be some fish living in the lake. <\/p>\n

Fishery Research<\/h2>\n

In anticipation of the lake forming part of the economic agenda for the future amongst both Peru and Bolivia, fishery research was conducted on Lake Titicaca in 2020. The research involved the use of remote sensing methods to locate any potential fish that may be living in the lake. In addition, the researchers conducted underwater surveys initially in the Bolivian side of the lake and discovered some fish species, including perch and trout. <\/p>\n

The Local People’s Opinion<\/h2>\n

Although the research did not conclusively uncover what types of fish were living in the lake, it provided insight into the views of local people who said that historically there were at least two species of fish, the prietito and the Cochon. However, the population of these fish has diminished over the years, leading to concerns about the sustainability of the fish populations. <\/p>\n

Impact of Pollution on Fish Populations<\/h2>\n