Ecological Risk Screening Summary - Malapterurus beninensis (a catfish, no common name) - 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.

Malapterurus beninensis is an electric catfish native to coastal river drainages in western Africa. It is used for human consumption, in the aquarium trade, and for research because of its electrical discharge properties. No information on M. beninensis in the aquarium trade in the United States was found. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has listed M. beninensis as a prohibited species. The history of invasiveness is uncertain. No records of introductions were found. The climate match with the contiguous United States is low; however Florida did have a medium individual climate score. The certainty of assessment is low; the overall risk assessment category is uncertain.