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.
Pseudoplatystoma punctifer is a large piscivorous catfish native to the Amazon River basin. The species is popular for human consumption in South America and research into best aquaculture practices for this species is ongoing. Juvenile Platystoma spp. are also marketed in the ornamental fish trade, at a size at which the fish cannot be reliably identified to species. There are no reports of introduction and establishment of P. punctifer outside its native range, although taxonomic uncertainty within the genus limits confidence that no introductions have occurred. Climate match to the contiguous U.S. is low. Overall risk assessment category for P. punctifer is uncertain.
Publication date
Type of document
Uncertain Risk
Program
