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.
The Firemouth Cichlid (Thorichthys meeki), is fish native to Central America. It is popular in the aquarium trade and for behavioral studies. History of invasiveness is None Documented. It has been introduced to Israel, the Philippines, and China, and established in Colombia, Singapore, and Australia. A few broad, general statements of ‘adverse impacts’ were found but no details were available. Some information on potential impacts was found. The climate match with the contiguous United States is medium. The southeast from the mid-Atlantic coastal area to southern Texas had medium to high matches and low matches were found almost everywhere else. Established populations have been reported in Florida historically, but the current status of those populations is in question. The certainty of assessment is low. The overall risk assessment category is uncertain.