Ecological Risk Screening Summary - Peppered Corydoras (Corydoras paleatus) - 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. This additional information will help inform decisions on where, when, and how the species may be used to minimize risks of them becoming invasive.

Corydoras paleatus is a small catfish native to southern Brazil, Uruguay, and northern Argentina. C. paleatus has a high climate match in the continental United States. Based on climate match information, it is plausible that if introduced, C. paleatus could establish populations in substantial areas of the U.S., particularly the East and Gulf Coast regions. At present, there are no reports of introduction within the U.S., but introductions have occurred in the Philippines, Japan, and Spain. The impacts of these introductions are unknown; at least one has failed. C. paleatus is popular in the aquarium trade and is present in trade in the U.S. Because of the lack of information about potential impacts of introduction to the U.S., the overall risk assessment category is uncertain.

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Uncertain Risk
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Invasive species