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.
Macropodus opercularis, the Paradisefish, is a tropical freshwater fish native to eastern Asia. This air-breathing fish is popular in the aquarium trade and has been introduced outside of its native range. M. opercularis has been introduced and established in Madagascar and Japan; there is debate over whether Japan is actually part of its native range or if the population there was the result of an introduction. Observations of this species have been documented in other countries (Russia, Philippines, India, and Singapore) where it is unknown if the populations have becomes established. M. opercularis has been introduced in Florida and Louisiana but there are no established populations in those States. No recorded impacts of introduction could be found in locations where the species has becomes established. The climate match for the contiguous United States was medium with the following states receiving high individual scores: Florida, Georgia, Kansas, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, and Texas. Arizona and Missouri both received individually medium climate scores with the remaining States all receiving individually low climate scores. The certainty of this assessment is low. The overall risk assessment category for Macropodus opercularis is uncertain.
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Uncertain Risk
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