Ecological Risk Screening Summary - Slender Piranha (Serrasalmus elongatus) - 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.

Slender Piranha (Serrasalmus elongatus) is native to the Amazon and Orinoco River basins in northern South America. It is present but rare in the aquarium trade, and no introductions outside the native range have been reported. The history of invasiveness is uncertain. S. elongatus is susceptible to numerous monogenoid parasites. Climate match to the contiguous United States is low overall, but southern Florida shows high match. Due to lack of information, the certainty of assessment is low. The overall risk assessment category for S. elongatus is uncertain.