Ecological Risk Screening Summary - Granulated Catfish (Pterodoras granulosus) - 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.

Granulated Catfish (Pterodoras granulosus) is a species of catfish native to the Amazon and Paraná river basins in South America. The fish is consumed by local populations and is present in the aquarium industry. The history of invasiveness is none documented. Records of introduction were found. A failed introduction occurred in Florida, and successful introductions occurred in rivers in South America. This species is found in trade. No information was found regarding scientifically defensible documented impacts of introduction. There is documentation of an artisanal fishery relying on this species in an invaded area but there is not enough accompanying information to determine any sort of economic or ecological impact beyond speculation. The climate match to the contiguous United States was medium. There were areas of high match, particularly in Florida and along the Gulf Coast. The certainty of assessment is low because of a lack of information on impacts of introduction, and questions about the species’ distribution. The overall risk assessment category is uncertain.