Ecological Risk Screening Summary - Cichla monoculus (a fish, no common name) - Uncertain Risk

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. This additional information will help inform decisions on where, when, and how the species may be used to minimize risks of them becoming invasive.

Cichla monoculus is native to the Amazon, Orinoco, and Casiquiare River basins in northern South America. It has been reported as introduced in other parts of Brazil, Panama, Malaysia, and Singapore, as well as within the United States in Florida. Little information about these introductions is available, including any impacts of introduction. C. monoculus has been reported by some authors to have biological traits that would help it establish successfully where introduced, and it is known to hybridize with at least one congener. C. monoculus has a medium climate match with the contiguous United States. Florida has the highest match within the United States and the rest of the Southeast has a medium to high match. More information about introductions is needed. The overall risk assessment is uncertain.