Ecological Risk Screening Summary - Guaru (Poecilia vivipara) - 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.

Poecilia vivipara, Guaru, is a poeciliid fish native to South America, ranging from Suriname to Brazil. It has been used for mosquito control and may occur in the aquarium trade. This species has been introduced outside of its native range in Puerto Rico and the Lesser Antilles Islands. Despite this, there are no documented impacts of introductions of this species. History of invasiveness is classified as none documented. Further information is needed to assess the risk this species poses, so certainty of this assessment is low. P. vivipara has a medium climate match with the contiguous United States, with the area of highest match in Florida. The overall risk assessment category for this species is “Uncertain”.