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Lake Biwa has about 45 native fish species, according to Shiga Prefecture, including 16 endemic fish species or taxa in the prefecture’s guidebook. Examples include Biwa catfish, Biwa minnow, oily minnow, Biwa oily gudgeon, and round crucian carp; introduced largemouth bass and bluegill are also present.
Native, endemic, and introduced describe different things: native fish occur naturally, endemic fish are geographically restricted, and introduced fish were brought from elsewhere. The exact count depends on definitions, and the available sources are not a single current, exhaustive species checklist.
Key takeaways
- Shiga Prefecture’s current educational page says 45 of the 65 fish species native to Shiga are found in Lake Biwa.
- The prefectural Lake Biwa Guidebook reports 16 endemic fish species; do not treat all native fish as endemic.
- Representative endemic or lake-associated fish include Biwa catfish, Biwa minnow, oily minnow, Biwa oily gudgeon, and round crucian carp.
- Largemouth bass and bluegill are introduced invasive fish that prey on native fish and shrimp, according to Shiga Prefecture.
- Habitat alteration and introduced species are conservation concerns, but historical conservation assessments should not be presented as current status.
What kind of fish are in Lake Biwa?
Lake Biwa supports about 45 native fish species. Shiga Prefecture’s current educational page says 45 of the 65 fish species native to Shiga Prefecture are found in Lake Biwa; its older Lake Biwa Guidebook gives a distinct prefecture-wide figure of 63 native freshwater fish species and about 45 in the lake. These are attributed figures with different source contexts, not a single identical prefectural count. See the Shiga Prefecture biodiversity overview and the Lake Biwa Guidebook fish chapter.
The sources do not provide a unified current checklist with consistent taxonomy and inclusion rules. Treat “about 45” as an attributed approximate lake count, not an exhaustive modern inventory.
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Which fish are native or endemic to Lake Biwa?
Native means a fish occurs naturally in the region; endemic means its natural range is restricted to the specified area. Lake Biwa has native fish shared with other waters as well as endemic species or taxa. Shiga Prefecture’s Lake Biwa Guidebook describes 16 endemic fish species and distinguishes fish that evolved adaptations to lake environments from relict forms that persisted there over geological time.
| Fish | Habitat or significance in the sources |
|---|---|
| Gengorobuna (Carassius cuvieri) | Middle and surface waters |
| Nigorobuna (Carassius buergeri grandoculis) | Deeper offshore water; juveniles grow in reed beds; used for funazushi |
| Honmoroko (Gnathopogon caerulescens) | Deep open water |
| Biwa oily gudgeon / Biwahigai (Sarcocheilichthys variegatus microoculus) | Sand and gravel bottoms |
| Biwa rock catfish (Silurus lithophilus) | Rocky areas in the north of the lake |
| Biwa catfish (Silurus biwaensis) | Well-known endemic and relict example |
These are examples, not a complete list. English names and taxonomic treatment can differ among translations and references. The Lake Biwa Museum’s aquarium information describes fish and habitats in the lake.
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Are largemouth bass and bluegill native to Lake Biwa?
No. Largemouth bass and bluegill are introduced fish, not native to Lake Biwa. Shiga Prefecture says they prey on native fish and shrimp and damage the natural environment. The Lake Biwa Museum says largemouth bass from North America was released in Lake Biwa for sport fishing during the 1970s, while bluegill was bred in Japan and later released at multiple locations, including the lake.
| Category | Examples | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Native | Nigorobuna and other naturally occurring lake fish | Occurs naturally in the region |
| Endemic | Biwa catfish and other geographically restricted taxa | Native and restricted to the stated area |
| Introduced invasive | Largemouth bass, bluegill | Introduced fish that create documented pressure on native fish and shrimp |
The Lake Biwa Museum lists 11 alien fish species in the wider Lake Biwa region, including black bass and bluegill. That figure applies to the region as presented by the Museum, not a verified current lake-only tally.
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What habitats do Lake Biwa fish use?
Lake Biwa fish use varied habitats, including open water, deeper offshore areas, reed beds, sand and gravel bottoms, and rocky areas. The Lake Biwa Museum describes nigorobuna in deeper offshore water, with juveniles growing in reed beds; honmoroko in deep open water; and Biwa oily gudgeon over sand and gravel. These examples show why fish are associated with different parts of the lake rather than one uniform habitat.
What conservation concerns affect Lake Biwa fish?
Habitat alteration and invasive alien fish are documented concerns. The National Institute for Environmental Studies describes research into native-fish reproduction and distribution in the Lake Biwa basin and notes declines associated with land alteration. Shiga Prefecture identifies largemouth bass and bluegill as predators of native fish and shrimp.
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A Shiga Prefecture endemic-species chapter reported that 12 of 16 endemic fish taxa were classified CR, EN, VU, or NT under the Ministry of the Environment’s 2012 Red List. This is a historical assessment reported in a chapter published around 2014, not a current status check. It should not be used to claim that the same taxa have those classifications today. See the National Institute for Environmental Studies conservation project.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Where can you see Lake Biwa fish?
The Lake Biwa Museum aquarium presents Lake Biwa fish and information about endemic species, fisheries, rivers, and conservation. Check the museum’s official visitor guide for current visitor information before planning a trip.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many fish species are in Lake Biwa?
Shiga Prefecture reports that about 45 native fish species are found in Lake Biwa. The figure is approximate and should not be treated as a complete current checklist.
Which fish are endemic to Lake Biwa?
The prefectural Lake Biwa Guidebook reports 16 endemic fish species. Examples in prefectural material include Biwa catfish and round crucian carp; the sources also identify Biwa minnow, oily minnow, and Biwa oily gudgeon as examples of endemic or lake-associated fish.
Are largemouth bass and bluegill native to Lake Biwa?
No. They are introduced invasive fish. Shiga Prefecture says they prey on native fish and shrimp and damage the natural environment.
What habitats do Lake Biwa fish live in?
Examples include deep offshore and open water, reed beds, sand and gravel bottoms, and rocky areas. Different species use different habitats, and some change habitat as they grow.
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