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.
Puntius mahecola is a small freshwater fish native to and widespread in Kerala State, India. It is collected for the aquarium trade and found in fish markets locally. No evidence of trade in the United States was found. However, another species (Dawkinsia assimilis) with a similar appearance is often marketed in the United States under the scientific name of P. mahecola. This species has never been documented as introduced or established outside of its native range, so history of invasiveness is uncertain. Overall, P. mahecola has a low climate match with the contiguous United States, but there were small areas of medium-low to medium climate match in Florida and southern Texas. Because of a lack of information concerning the invasive potential of this species, the certainty of this assessment is low. The overall risk assessment category is uncertain.
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Uncertain Risk
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