Species that are considered low risk present a minimal risk of invasiveness because the climate where they are established is sufficiently different from the United States climate AND there is no evidence of invasiveness globally.
Balantiocheilos melanopterus is a tetra fish native to Mekong and Chao Phraya basins, Malay Peninsula, Sumatra and Borneo. A popular ornamental species, B. melanopterus is now endangered in its native range and is extinct in many of its native river basins, possibly due to overfishing for aquarium trade. Only one introduction beyond its native range has been reported, occurring in Diamond Lake, Indiana, in July 1995. The introduction failed and no impacts were reported. The species has been popular all over the world as an aquarium fish for over 20 years, with no evidence of establishment beyond its native range. This indicates a low history of invasiveness for B. melanopterus. Climate match within the contiguous United States is low overall, with no favorable climate conditions occurring locally either. Given the low history of invasiveness and low climate match, the overall risk for Balantiocheilos melanopterus is low within the contiguous United States.
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Low Risk
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