Ecological Risk Screening Summary - Redhook Myleus (Myloplus rubripinnis) - 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.

Redhook Myleus (Myloplus rubripinnis) is a South American freshwater fish native to the Amazon and Orinoco River basins and the Guiana Shield. This species can be found in Bolivia, Brazil, Columbia, Ecuador, French Guyana, Guiana, Peru, Suriname, and Venezuela. No established populations have been documented outside of their native range, creating an uncertain history of invasiveness. A single specimen was identified in Massachusetts, United States, likely due to an aquarium release. Myloplus rubripinnis is a minor commercial fish and is widely distributed in the aquarium trade. This species is capable of producing wounds or injuring humans due to their two rows of premaxillary teeth and molariform teeth. The climate match for the contiguous United States was low. All states received low individual climate scores except for Florida, which received a medium climate score. The certainty of assessment is low. The overall risk assessment category for Myloplus rubripinnis is uncertain.