Ecological Risk Screening Summary - Redhead Cichlid (Vieja melanura) - 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.

Redhead Cichlid (Vieja melanura) is a fish native to Central America common in the aquarium trade. Many parasitic infections are reported from this species. The history of invasiveness for V. melanura is not documented. There are established nonnative populations of Vieja melanura in Florida, Puerto Rico, and Singapore which are thought to be the result of aquarium releases. This species and hybrids of this species are very popular in the aquarium trade but no other introductions are recorded. No records of the impacts of those populations could be found. The climate match is medium for the contiguous United States. There are areas where the climate would be suitable for the establishment of a population, particularly in Florida and Georgia. The overall risk assessment category is uncertain.