Ecological Risk Screening Summary - Redbelly Tilapia (Coptodon zillii) - High Risk

Species that are considered high risk have a well-documented history of invasiveness in at least one location globally, and a high or medium climate match to the contiguous United States.

Coptodon zillii, Redbelly Tilapia, is a fish that is native to Africa and the Middle East. It is adaptable to a wide range of environments and has been introduced in many countries for aquaculture, recreational fishing, forage, and control of aquatic macrophytes or insects. Coptodon zillii is also used for commercial fishing and in the aquarium trade. Many of the introductions have resulted in established populations. Coptodon zillii has been used for similar purposes in the United States, and it has become established in a few locations, mainly in the Southwest, through a history of deliberate release and accidental escape from captivity. Arizona, California, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Nevada, Oklahoma, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, Oregon, and Florida regulate importation, transport, or possession of Coptodon zillii. Declines of native fish species, such as the endangered Baja California killifish (Fundulus lima) and the desert pupfish (Cyprinodon macularius), have been attributed to Coptodon zillii. Coptodon zillii also eliminated the aquatic macrophyte community of the Hyco Reservoir in North Carolina. The History of Invasiveness for Coptodon zillii is classified as High due to confirmed nonnative establishment and known negative impacts of introduction. The climate matching analysis for the contiguous United States indicates establishment concern for this species. This species has a high climate match particularly with southwest United States, where it is already established. The Certainty of Assessment for this ERSS is classified as High due to availability of peer-reviewed scientific literature with information about Coptodon zillii biology, ecology, distribution, and evidence of negative impacts of introduction. The Overall Risk Assessment Category for Coptodon zillii in the contiguous United States is High.