Ecological Risk Screening Summary - Pimelodus ornatus (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.

Pimelodus ornatus is a freshwater catfish native to multiple major river systems in South America. It is present in trade, and it is consumed by humans, however specifics regarding quantity and trade history are unknown. This species has spines along its fins that can cause painful wounds to humans. There has been a single introduction outside of its native range due to the creation of a reservoir and removal of a waterfall that was a natural barrier, but the impacts of that introduction are unknown. The lack of impact information results in a history of invasiveness classification of Data Deficient. The overall Climate 6 score for the contiguous United States is High. Areas of high match were primarily found in the Southeast and Gulf coastal regions, including Florida. The certainty of this assessment is Low due to a lack of information regarding this species’ history of invasiveness. The overall risk assessment category for Pimelodus ornatus is Uncertain.