Ecological Risk Screening Summary - Vandellia beccarii (a catfish, no common name) - 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.

Vandellia beccarii is a freshwater parasitic catfish native to the Orinoco River basin in South America. This species has a low climate match with the contiguous United States. It has not been reported as introduced outside of its native range, so history of invasiveness is uncertain. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has listed the parasitic catfish V. beccarii as a prohibited species. Because no introductions of this species have been documented, potential adverse impacts of this species’ introduction to the contiguous United States are unknown. Certainty of this assessment is low. The overall risk assessment category of this species is uncertain.