Ecological Risk Screening Summary - Panama Suckermouth (Hypostomus aspidolepis) - 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.

Hypostomus aspidolepis, the Panama Suckermouth, is an armored catfish species native to Panama and Costa Rica. It has been reported as introduced to two rivers in northern Costa Rica, but no information is available about the status or impacts of this introduction. History of invasiveness is uncertain. It has not been reported from the United States and there is no indication that it is in trade in the United States. H. aspidolepis has a low climate match with the entire contiguous United States. Because there is so little information available about this species, the certainty of this assessment is low. The overall risk assessment category is Uncertain.