Ecological Risk Screening Summary - Freshwater Tubenose Goby (Proterorhinus semilunaris) - High Risk

Species that are considered high risk have a well-documented history of invasiveness in at least one location globally, and a high or medium climate match to the contiguous United States.

Proterorhinus semilunaris, the Freshwater Tubenose Goby, is a freshwater fish native to Europe from the Black Sea basin and the Maritza and Struma drainages in the eastern Aegean basin. This species is a benthic omnivore that prefers slow moving water. P. semilunaris thrives in lake environments and it has been transported in the ballast water of ships to parts of Europe and to several of the Great Lakes in North America. Additionally, use as a baitfish and dispersal through canal systems have led to further introductions and expansion of its introduced range. The history of invasiveness is classified as High. Introduction of P. semilunaris has resulted in decreased abundance of benthic invertebrate communities. The climate matching analysis for the contiguous United States indicates establishment concern for this species. High climate matches were primarily found in the Northeast, Midwest, and Great Lakes regions. Areas of low climate match were found around the Gulf Coast, Southwest, and Pacific Northwest. The certainty of this assessment is High due to the quantity and quality of information available. The overall risk assessment category is High.