Ecological Risk Screening Summary - Spanish Toothcarp (Aphanius iberus) - 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.

Aphanius iberus is a small fish endemic to Spain’s Mediterranean coast. Several populations have been extirpated; the species is categorized as “Endangered” on the IUCN Red List and is protected within the European Union Habitat Directive and the Bern Convention. A. iberus is of interest in the aquarium trade, but its protected status means that the species is rare in trade. A. iberus has a medium climate match with the contiguous United States. The biology of this species has been well documented, but more information on the history of invasiveness is needed because no introductions of the species have been reported. Overall risk category is uncertain.