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.
Tigerfish (Hoplias microlepis) is a species of characiform fish native to Costa Rica, Panama, Ecuador, Peru, and possibly Colombia. H. microlepis has commercial fishery value in its native range. Gnathostoma parasites, which can infect humans, have been reported in H. microlepis collected in Ecuador. H. microlepis is discussed occasionally on online aquarium forums, but appears not to be sold in the United States. It is listed as a prohibited species in the State of Florida. No introductions of H. microlepis have been reported, so no information is available on impacts of introduction. Therefore, history of invasiveness is uncertain. Climate match to the contiguous United States is low overall, with the State of Florida scoring as a medium match. Certainty of the assessment is low because of the lack of introduction history and, overall, the risk posed by H. microlepis to the contiguous United States is uncertain.
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Uncertain Risk
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