Ecological Risk Screening Summary - Otopharynx lithobates (a cichlid, 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.

Otopharynx lithobates is a species of cichlid fish native to southern Lake Malawi, in southeastern Africa. O. lithobates was introduced to the island of Okinawa, Japan, through an aquarium release. The species is now established there, but no information is known about impacts of introduction so the history of invasiveness is categorized as “none documented”. O. lithobates is a popular species in the aquarium pet trade, and can be obtained from a variety of aquarium retailers in the United States. There have been no reports of O. lithobates introduction into natural habitats in the United States. Climate match with the contiguous United States is low. Overall risk posed by O. lithobates is uncertain.