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.
Smallmouth electric catfish (Malapterurus microstoma) is an electric catfish found in the Congo River Basin in central Africa. The history of invasiveness is uncertain. There were no records of introductions found. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has listed the electric catfish M. microstoma as a prohibited species. M. microstoma is harvested for the aquarium trade but no specific information on volume or duration of this species is trade was found. There is no indication that this species is in trade in the United States. It poses a risk to humans, which may be related to its ability to create electrical discharges. Some species in this genus are able to produce electric discharges in the range of hundreds of volts to stun prey and for defense. The climate match for M. microstoma with the contiguous United States is low. However, M. microstoma had areas of medium match along the Gulf Coast and northern peninsula Florida and high matches in southern peninsular Florida. The certainty of assessment is low because of lack of information on potential invasiveness. The overall risk assessment category is uncertain.
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Uncertain Risk
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