Ecological Risk Screening Summary - Head-and-taillight Tetra (Hemigrammus ocellifer) - 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.

Hemigrammus ocellifer, the Head-and-taillight Tetra, is a small freshwater fish species native to northern South America. This species was introduced to a thermal spring area in Colorado, but the population failed. Additionally, H. ocellifer has been introduced to Trinidad and the Philippines; establishment is confirmed only in Trinidad. No information is available on any impacts of introduction. H. ocellifer is popular in the aquarium trade, including in the United States. It has a medium climate match with the contiguous United States overall, and a high climate match in Florida. Information on impacts of introductions is needed to adequately assess the risk H. ocellifer poses to the contiguous United States. Certainty of this assessment is low, and the overall risk assessment category is uncertain.