Ecological Risk Screening Summary - Pterygoplichthys etentaculatus (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.

Pterygoplichthys etentaculatus is a freshwater armored catfish native to Brazil. Limited information is available on this species. The history of invasiveness is uncertain. P. etentaculatus has not been reported as introduced or established anywhere in the world outside of its native range. There is no indication of Pterygoplichthys etentaculatus being found in trade. The climate match for the contiguous United States was low. Only the southernmost areas of the country had a medium match. The certainty of assessment is low due to lack of information. The overall risk assessment category is uncertain.