Ecological Risk Screening Summary - Round Goby (Neogobius melanostomus) - 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.

Neogobius melanostomus, the Round Goby, is a freshwater fish species native to the Black, Azov, and Caspian Sea basins. This species has been introduced to Europe and North America through accidental transport in ships’ ballast water. Once introduced, it disperses primarily via rivers and canals, although it is sometimes transported as bait. N. melanostomus has a broad established distribution in the Great Lakes basin and the Illinois River. It has recently been found in the Mississippi River. History of invasiveness is high. Where introduced, N. melanostomus competes aggressively for food and habitat with native fish species and preys on native mussels, including several species that are endangered or of conservation concern. The species can serve as a vector for avian botulism and is a host of viral haemorrhagic septicaemia, an OIE-reportable disease. Competition with sport fish has resulted in economic losses in Ohio. N. melanostomus has a high climate match with the contiguous United States, with the highest match occurring in the Northeast and Great Lakes. The certainty of this assessment is high because of the abundance of information on negative impacts of introduction. The overall risk assessment category is high.