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 fasciatus, the Banded Jewelfish, is a freshwater cichlid species native to northern and western Africa. It is used commercially for human consumption, the aquarium trade, and in aquaculture, as well as for biocontrol of tilapia. It has a large native range in Africa. This species has been reported from multiple locations on the island of O‘ahu, where it is probably established. Its introduction to Hawaii was described as “accidental” (Froese and Pauly 2018), with no further information available. No indication could be found that H. fasciatus is in trade in the United States. H. fasciatus has been introduced to Austria, where it became established in a hot spring, and the Philippines, where its status is unknown. No impacts of these introductions have been documented. H. fasciatus has a medium climate match with the contiguous United States, with highest match in the far southern United States. Because there is inadequate information from which to assess the invasive potential of this species, the certainty of this assessment is low. The overall risk assessment category is uncertain.
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Uncertain Risk
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