Ecological Risk Screening Summary - Pterygoplichthys undecimalis (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 undecimalis is an armored catfish endemic to Colombia. P. undecimalis is a bottom feeder that prefers rivers with slow currents where they can feed on algae and invertebrates. The history of invasiveness is classified as No Known Nonnative Population. P. undecimalis has not been reported as introduced or established anywhere in the world. This species is found in the aquarium trade, but no information was found to determine as to what extent. P. undecimalis is also locally fished for subsistence. The overall climate match for the contiguous United States was low. There were only a few areas of medium match in Florida, Washington, and California; there were no areas of high match. The certainty of assessment is low due to lack of information. The overall risk category for Pterygoplichthys undecimalis is Uncertain.