Amazon Sailfin Catfish Pterygoplichthys Pardalis (Castellnnau, 1855) (Loricariidae, Siluriformes), a New Fish Species Recorded in the Serbian Section of the Danube River

Abstract

Amazon sailfin catfish Pterygoplichthys pardalis (Castelnau, 1855) (Loricariidae, Siluriformes) is a new non-indigenous fish species recorded in the Serbian section of the Danube River, being reported for the first time in inland waters of Europe, as well. A single, female fish was ripe and in good shape, although considering its original neotropical dispersal area and recording of occurrence in summer, with the only single female individual, its acclimatization is not likely. However, both its estimated invasive potential after the FISK protocol scoring of 26 and the risk of its introduction and establishment in the recipient area in concern after the IFRA protocol scoring of 61 should be considered moderate. That, together with the invasive history of this sailfin catfish and its congeners in south-eastern Asia and Meso-American region imposes a need for precaution. © 2010 Taylor and Francis Group, LLC.