Ecological Risk Screening Summary - Convict Cichlid (Amatitlania nigrofasciata) - High Risk

Species that are considered high risk have a well-documented history of invasiveness in at least one location globally and are of establishment concern for the contiguous United States based on a climate matching analysis.

Amatitlania nigrofasciata, Convict Cichlid, is a freshwater fish that is native to Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador. This species is popular in the aquarium trade, which has contributed to its introduction in multiple countries worldwide. In the United States, it is established in California, Arizona, Louisiana, Idaho, Wyoming, Nevada, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico, although in many of these locations, populations are restricted to thermal waters. The History of Invasiveness for Amatitlania nigrofasciata is classified as High due to its documented ability to displace and negatively alter the behavior of native species where introduced. The climate matching analysis for the contiguous United States indicated establishment concern for this species. Its climate match with the contiguous United States was highest along the southern border and Gulf Coast of the contiguous United States, particularly in Louisiana and Arizona. The Certainty of Assessment for this ERSS is classified as Medium because of taxonomic uncertainty in the Amatitlania genus and because many established populations of A. nigrofasciata occur in hot springs or other atypical environments and therefore may be unlikely to spread. The Overall Risk Assessment Category for Amatitlania nigrofasciata in the contiguous United States is High.