Species that are considered uncertain risk need a more in-depth assessment beyond the Risk Summary to better define the species’ risk to U.S. environments.
Hemichromis bimaculatus, the African Jewelfish, is a freshwater cichlid species native to West Africa. It is used in the aquarium trade and is in trade in the United States. H. bimaculatus has been introduced to and established in thermal springs in Canada. It is possible that this species has been introduced to Florida, but the similar species H. letourneuxi has been misidentified as H. bimaculatus, so this species’ presence in the United States is not certain. H. bimaculatus has a medium climate match with the contiguous United States. The climate match was highest in Florida and the southwestern United States. No information was found on impacts of introductions of this species, therefore history of invasiveness is “none documented.” Further information is needed to adequately assess the risk H. bimaculatus poses. The certainty of this assessment is low, and the overall risk assessment category is uncertain.
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Uncertain Risk
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