piranha LEGALITY across the USA

[octofasciatum1]

This definitely seems to be a frequently asked question, so...

[bluedempsey]

This definitely seems to be a frequently asked question, so...
true that!

[CAMERON]

WHATS UP IS ANY ONE ON LINE

[Miles]

I live in Washington State.. Does something look a little 'stooopid' about a few of those states.

"AHHH I LIVE IN MAINE, and MY PIRHANAS ARE BREEDING IN MY OUTDOOR POND!" :)


WTF.. Grow a brain, F&WL.

[spryandspringy]

Unfortunately for all of us, piranha-keeping got the kibosh (IMHO) due to a bad, 1970's movie.

"Then... you were shocked by the great white shark - Now... you are at the mercy of 1000 jaws!"

A young couple stumble across an abandoned US Army test site on a mountain, in which is a huge pool. Thinking it's an ordinary swimming pool, they jump in. But this pool is home to the piranha, and the couple are eaten alive. A young woman P.I. is hired by the father of one of the missing kids to find them, and she meets up with an alcoholic outdoorsman who lives on the mountain. The two of them find the test site and drain the pool to see what's in it. As they do they are accosted by Dr. Hoak - the sole resident of the test site - who informs them that the inhabitants of the pool were the products of a gene-splicing experiment called 'Operation Razorteeth', designed to produce a mutant strain of piranha fish for deployment in the Vietnam War against the NVA. The fish could live in cold water and breed at a high rate. Realizing that a children's summer camp and the Lost River Lake Resort downriver are in the piranhas' path, they set out to try to stop it. The piranha are well ahead of them, and they kill several people on their way downstream. When they try to warn the camp director and resort owner of the danger, they are arrested. Thanks to the woman's ingenuity they escape custody and race down to the camp in a state police car to warn them. But the piranha have already struck - and there are others who want to keep the danger of the piranha a secret..."

Piranha (The Movie) (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0078087/)

[Miles]

Stupid movie. We should of make one about killer Bala Sharks, so they could be illegal all over.

Ugh - I do agree though, this gave P's a horrible reputation.

[spryandspringy]

http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/gallery/uploads/2000/tetra.jpg

[Miles]

AHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHA

...

HAHAHAHAHHAHAH OMG Hahahahahhaha

That is hilarous. POTM ! POTM !

[DanDanUK]

WHATS UP IS ANY ONE ON LINE
This is a post forum not a chat site.

[drunkpunk]

yeah i had to go to rhode island to get my red bellie i love hove almost everything is legal in rhodey

[hmmca]

They are legal in Illinois

[dialphantom]

damn i hate las vegas

[Spydey]

when i was in ny i had to drive to nj to get my piranhas...

[redtailfool]

http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/gallery/uploads/2000/tetra.jpg


Thats hot spry..

[Serygo]

http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/gallery/uploads/2000/tetra.jpg


LOL!!!! Thats baddass!!!

[Stella]

I caught that movie on TV the other day. Gotta love claymation fish with big teeth :D.

Laura

[oscar1]

they are a great fish to bad so many illeagel places

[cabouta1]

lol

[rodneybur]

Kinda odd that all the southern states made them illegal. Kinda stupid too.

The main reason probably has somthing to do with no disturbing natural wildlife habitats and such if they get realeased into the wild. Im sure they can some major damage to lakes and streams if realeased in quantities.

Any way, southern states made them illegal, but didnt they realize that most water ways travel southernly..... so as long as the northern states have them legal it doesnt matter what the southern states do. If a giant piranah outbreak occurs in ohio those good old boys in kentucky are ****ed anyway.....

[Just1nK4ng]

those people that jumped in to the pool diserved to die

[lizardfishman]

are they reaally illegal in florida? i've seen redbellys for sale at a lot of pet stores. ithink i even saw some @ petsmrt once

[Caveman]

are they reaally illegal in florida? i've seen redbellys for sale at a lot of pet stores. ithink i even saw some @ petsmrt once
Are you sure they were not Red Belly Pacu?

[lizardfishman]

might have been but a friend of mine's bro bought a piranha or pacu or somethin that looks like a piranha and it bit through a bag to eat some goldfish

[AmazonPredator]

I can't figure out why piranha are illegal here, then again alot of dumb things are illegal here. In the city of Oklahoma City its illegal to own crocodilians, yet I had an alligator for 2 years after that was passed. I've also had piranha regardless of the law. It gets too cold here for any to survive....gimme a break.

[Waldo]

There is a HUGE difference between live and thrive. These fish have been found in our lakes up here. Infact ID has now banned them :werd: . Abouth 3 years back one was found in The mighty columbia and was about 1' long. didn't say what sp it was but thats the problem. Pit fish are like that, mindless poop fish with teeth. little children swim in the river near where they are caught. I'd be more afraid of milaria or if you wanna stick with fish how about Candiru climing up your urinary tract to suck your blood. :woot: . People don't realize this they only see the teeth and think it's cool. You wanna see a cool fish eat? get a puffer and watch it make a goldfish swim away with it's guts hanging out 3x the length of the fish.
Anyways.... as i was saying before I rudely interupted myself, the P's aren't going to breed and liveing over a month in our water would not be the easiest on the fish.

We can drive 4 hours north and get P's though.... idiots.

PS your map isn't very accurate anymore.

[buffalo]

I know they are illegal in Texas, probably Florida also. You could call customs and probably find out for sure.

[lizardfishman]

is it illegal to go to a state that they are legal and bring them to an illegal state?

[guppy]

is it illegal to go to a state that they are legal and bring them to an illegal state?yes , that is illegal, easy to do though.

[Casey Jones]

yes , that is illegal, easy to do though.
So go get ur P's and don't let anyone come over to the house

[guppy]

Lol, "How my fish turned me into a Hermit", Hiya Casey J., welcome to MFK.

[spryandspringy]

I sent an email to the local Fish and Wildlife service folks here (Texas). Frankly, I wanted to know if there was any way to LEGALLY keep many of the fish I love and what the penalty would be if I got caught. I also wanted to get a copy of the legislation, and if possible the transcripts for the session that approved it. I asked for all of this information, as well as an explanation of why certain species were illegal here, since they didn't have much chance of becoming an invasive species; the conditions are too different from their natural habitats. My email was polite, well-worded, organized, and the information I was seeking was clearly laid out for individual and specific responses. I received the following reply:

"Permits are only issued to zoos and aquariums."

:swear:

[Casey Jones]

Hiya Gup, thanks. I really like this forum. There's alot of info that I was lookin for

[Fish Finder]

permit only in NY lol lol

[vinniegambini]

Legal in Maryland. :headbang2

[steveny311]

how'd you move fish on the road. it seems like vibration would reck them?

[boredcpl]

what made me laugh is when i asked a guy at a petstore in kentucky (many many miles from the river) why they were illegal he said becuase they can live in the ohio river... but i can buy piranha's all day long in cinn, ohio (not even 100 feet from the ohio river) and its legal..

[Ornatapinnis]

Transporting fish is very easy, a ride in the car is nothing by comparison to what they go thru getting to the store you buy them from. I get fish from the other side of the world just about every week. Fly them into L.A and then flown from L.A to here. Suprisingly, we don't have major fish loss typically.

I looked at the map from the original post concerning legality of Piranha. I think that individual counties are inforsing laws now too that may not be state wide. Recently here in Dayton Ohio, an exotic animal ordanice was passed that outlawed the possesion of many animals in Montgomery county. Pirahna were specifically named on the list. I'm not sure how hard they are pushing this law though. Idoits with animals that are out of controll are who is mostly being targeted (pitt bulls attacing people, a guy had some bears that got loose a few times, etc..) I have mostly Salt water at my shop and have not looked into getting in pirahna in recent months. Seems silly though, Pirahna will not over winter here if some dumb *ss let them go in a creek or lake. I'm going to start carring more fresh water live stock in my new building, perhaps I better look into it before I order some in....

[swartzcorp05]

were can i get a piranha species?

[swartzcorp05]

i am looking to buy a red belly piranha(s)

[swartzcorp05]

would a 30 gallon rectangle tank be sufficent for say one or 3 piranha(s)

[swartzcorp05]

i read piranhas are illeagal in ny so i guest i would have to drive out of state DAMM

[DarthLungFish]

There is a place is NJ.

[Waldo]

If you already have piranhas before they were outlawed they are legal to have. Also if you live in a state that they are legal and move to a state that they aren't you are allowed to bring them with. can someone PLEASE fix that map..... it's so outdated it's as bad as Rodney Dangerfields acting. IT'S CRAP and ANNOIYING.

[bluedempsey]

poor rodney dangerfield..... may he rest in peace :(

[Waldo]

Is he dead? All I have to say is I'm a John Candy fan. Can't beat a fat guy pooring ice chest water on a hot babe!

[Mourinho18]

This is :topic: , but the best comedian out there is Dane Cook. Bottom line

[guppy]

Still off topic but they get funnier when dead.

[Waldo]

Still off topic but they get funnier when dead.
quick somobody kill damen williams, and the whole group of "who's line is it anyways"

[necrocanis]

You guys keep wondering why they outlaw fish. Seems in NC we had a problem with people buy snakeheads and when they got too big they would set them loose. So what's the problem you ask. They took over many of the lakes and rivers. They bred so rapid that they were a serious nusance to the native fish population. I think one of the last counts was that they electroshocked and caught around 100,000 of them in lake norman alone. They are now banned in NC I believe.

[guppy]

They are now banned in every state including Montana and Alaska.

[Waldo]

well considering we have places like petsmart and co that sell brackish fish in Fresh water tanks. and some big fish for ten gallon tanks. I mean since when to Pacu's get 14", Clown knifes get 24", Hypos are going to get 14". it's insane people.

[necrocanis]

yeah, seen in wal-mart, oscars 10-12inches lol

[SAGE]

so i quess in california u cant own piranahs for what i have read so far

[Waldo]

so i quess in california u cant own piranahs for what i have read so far
:confused: I don't know if thats a question. If it is then Piranahs are illegal in cali.

[hella-nervos]

yes ps are illegal in cali so are rays

[Joe5688]

woot they are legal here!

[Pangong_ilong]

rays are illegal in cali, bummer :( I might move to cali and looking forward to buy some rays. Hmm guess I'll just take care of Discus then.

[Pangong_ilong]

Oh i know, neon tetras!

[pufferfish123]

where is a good spot to sneak piranhas in Cali? Any recommendations?

[Queued]

thankx for ya help so that answerz my ?

[Mourinho18]

where is a good spot to sneak piranhas in Cali? Any recommendations?


uhh, drive to the closest state that has them legally, and drive back to where you live. :)

[Queued]

Ok ima so cofused so.... let me get this right.... i can have RBP's in florida but id have to go outta stae to gettem?

[Jimmy T]

I just learned of this sight today ... now evthing I want I have been wondering bout Piranhas and how hard they are to keep ... now I know where toask the questions

[Jimmy T]

Any one know if they r leagal in texas?

[gilly]

too funny

[Herkulez]

damn thats stupid, its legal in sweden anyway

wohoo my first post, bought my first piranhas yesterday

[shmeva_riles_7]

Man that must suck. Piranha's illegal why?. Here in Canada we can have as many piranha's as we want. Wherever we want. We should protest...

[loganalexander]

Im from Rhode Island. You can get piranha's with no problem. Growing up as a kid, My
father had red bellies, Six of them. There beautiful fish. There is this fish Store in Providence, Rhode Island. They have the best selection of piranha's in the state.
I believe the name of the store is Rhode Island aquarium. I may be wrong. That's bad huh.
Drive by the place everyday and go in god knows how many times and can't remember the name.

[loganalexander]

Whats wrong with the USA, If you have the money and permits in most states, you can
have tigers, bears, aligators, dogs etc........... for pets. Animals that can kill you with one swipe of a paw or bite. But yet it is illegal for you to keep a "killer" fish...The Piranha
in a fish tank, in your own home, covered to where Really No One will ever come into contact
with the fish. Its really crazy.

[gomezladdams]

It says on the map you can have pirana with a permit in in ny,is that true?Does anyone here have a current NY pirana permit?If so what was involved in getting it and how much did it cost?I would love to own a few rbps. :drool:

[Sunpoe]

that sucks they shouldn't be illegal anywhere

[suckerfish]

i think piranhas are illegal because they will grow wings and attack you in mid-flight like in the movie # 2 or 3. right? :D

[Waynethegiant]

shoot.we eat fish. lets make us illegal.

[guppy]

i think piranhas are illegal because they will grow wings and attack you in mid-flight like in the movie # 2 or 3. right? :D
I loved that movie, even if it was not supposed to be a comedy.

[zipperfish45]

are they legal in oklahoma by chance???

[zipperfish45]

and if they are anyone know of a good source online or any breeders i could contact cause
i would like to have a few

[lowtech]

Bahhh I can't see the map because I don't have 5 posts yet.......


:headbang2 now I do !! :grinyes:

[guppy]

and if they are anyone know of a good source online or any breeders i could contact cause
i would like to have a few
Sharkaquarium in the buy and sell forum usually has a nice selection.

[erikman]

[QUOTE] lol

[Dragon]

Kinda odd that all the southern states made them illegal. Kinda stupid too.

The main reason probably has somthing to do with no disturbing natural wildlife habitats and such if they get realeased into the wild. Im sure they can some major damage to lakes and streams if realeased in quantities.



That's true. There are so many different species living in south florida that are not native. There are a flock of macaws living in Miami in the wild as well as iguanas and all kinds of different types of pythons that are not even native to the USA. So a small school of pirhana could develop into a large school and potentially wreak havoc. Too bad some stupid a$*#oles have ruined it for the rest of us. Just another case of punishing the many for the actions of a few.

[Kribin]

This is very interesting. I didnt know they were illegal in some states. Thanks for the info!

[BuggyNutt]

I dont think you need a permit to own Ps in Colorado. I have seen them in alot of lfs's here and was told you just cant buy them if they are over 1" and the permits are just a exotic fish permit that the store needs to have. I dont know if this is all true. I was also told that the only Ps sold in CO. are RBP's. I have never seen any others for sale here and have only seen bigger than 1" for sale in one of the lfs's here.

Jason

[kix0102]

nice to know

[ABAKAB]

i think that piranha should be legal in all of the states except may be florida, and even that i don't think piranha would start breeding there..look at mexico ..closer to s. america, and i don't think there is any piranha there..it is all about politics...new york is at the border line with jersey same temperatures in lakes and streams and yet, jersey is legal and ny illegal..how do you figure that..i'll tell you...politician in ny are a bunch of ...A-HOLES ,AND MOST OF THE PEOPLE IN NY AS WELL AS OTHER STATES BELIEVE TOO MUCH IN MOVIES.and are very ignorant about piranhas alltogether, i wish somebody would come up with a magazine totally dedicated to piranhas like the japanese have...piranha keepers would enjoy it, and may be it would educate at lot of misguided people about this wonderful animal.
nekmek

[RHole]

I find it interesting that anyone would admit to breaking the law or intending to break the law, even a wildlife regulation, in a forum that can be linked to their real selves, and that might be a place where someone from law enforcement might also be hangning out.

Of course the silliest thing would be to invite your friend who happens to work for Fish & Game law enforcement over (yes, this has happened!).

In any event.

I know piranhas have been found in several local lakes here in northern California. Yeah, it's unlikely they'll breed (especially if there's only one!). And yeah there danger to humans has been overhyped, but they could cause problems in some areas. But yeah too, it's mostly hype in this case (not in all cases).

The best way to find out if they're legal in your state or local jurisdiction (remember there are local animal ordinances too) is to ask your LFS if they can get them for you legally. Most places they're legal that I've travelled through have had them in their stores. And the local stores should know the laws - or be able to find out because their distributors better know the laws. Don't rely on the big-boxes to know, of course.

[CichlidKid]

Better than Bala sharks, a killer goldfish movie. That way we don't have to deal with aweful fish stores keeping them in disgusting tanks, and fairs will no longer have them. Allot fewer toilets flushed.

[rook45]

never knew you need a permit to keep piranha in ny

[g1984]

i just bought 6 red bellies off the net....used to have 6 others that i bought in kansas

[R3DEVILBOY]

♥♥♥♥♥

[JD7.62]

If you already have piranhas before they were outlawed they are legal to have. Also if you live in a state that they are legal and move to a state that they aren't you are allowed to bring them with. can someone PLEASE fix that map..... it's so outdated it's as bad as Rodney Dangerfields acting. IT'S CRAP and ANNOIYING.




Can you please elaborate on the part about moving from a state wich Ps are legal to a state wich Ps are illegal and be able to keep them? I would like to know if that is true or not because I am planning on moving to Florida and I would like to bring my Ps and or my ray with me!

[foxypleco]

wow, so basically if i want pirranha all i need to do is drive 2 hours north (oregon) and dont get cought!!!

[stevey11]

thats what it looks like

[stevey11]

lucky here they dont care what you have. they could be poisonous and they wouldnt mind

[foxypleco]

youre lucky.here in california it often seems if it is a little out of the ordinary or a preditor than its not allowed.we can own chinchillas,but not ferrets.we can own up tp 98% wolf,but anything more is considered full bred.......
the animal laws and the taxes are ridiculous,it almost mekes me want to move sometimes but there are alot of good things i suppose,eh?

[mrnut]

i wish piranhas were legal in cali...

[fishlover74]

OK...now we know of the legality of our favorite fish, but perhaps someone can enlighten us as to the consequences if caught?????

[msouth468]

OK...now we know of the legality of our favorite fish, but perhaps someone can enlighten us as to the consequences if caught?????

It is probably diffrent for each state. But I assume that they will take the piranha away from you, and give a fine.

[piranha78]

here in Slovakia they aren't illegal, you can get them almost in any pet store, good for us - Slovakian MFKs :clap

[dmarinko]

thank God i'm in wisconsin

[blairsteelers]

lame,
i live in california.
pretty much just stupid
that they are illegal.

[CHOMPERS]

Does anyone know of an online dealer that will ship P's without asking "too many questions"? If ya know what I mean... :naughty: I have Red Bellied Pacus and I am looking at upgrading.

Also, I have a 125 gallon tank...how many are realistic to keep in there?
Thanks

[lomenop]

5 ... now i can see it ... hopefully

[meepster]

This definitely seems to be a frequently asked question, so...

hold on... it says its illegal in massachusetts... this is not the case... it is illegal to buy/sell them here but not illegal ot own.

You can just drive down to a diff state, buy one, and drive back lol

[joejoe19]

thanks for the info

[Snakebite]

Look at it this way it's only illegal if you get caught....

[Dominuslive]

Seems the law makers in those states didn't do their job again. If they would have studied about pirahna in their native habitat, they would have found out that they are only dangerous during the dry season when there is a lack of food. Otherwise they are vegens.

[Roberto C. Wells]

Piranhas, Snakeheads, walking catfish, stickleback, Mexican banded tetra and rusty crayfish are illegal in Arkansas but i'm getting my Educational Exoctic species permit and my Scientific Collection permit so i will be allowed to have them:D

[hatcherboy]

are the legal in WA state?

[vinwinner]

Honesty speaking does any of u have a photo of how a real piranas looks like

[Lockness' Oscar]

Glad they aren't illegal in Ohio...Are snakeheads Illegal in Ohio??

[P3R3]

Glad they aren't illegal in Ohio...Are snakeheads Illegal in Ohio??
Did you not see the sticky? Snakeheads are illegal. PERIOD.

[Lockness' Oscar]

Did you not see the sticky? Snakeheads are illegal. PERIOD.

Even Chrenchicla?? (bad spelling)

[Snake_Eyes]

Even Chrenchicla?? (bad spelling)
Crenicichla is a Pike Cichlid not a snakehead.

[Lockness' Oscar]

Thank you very much...I was getting very confused.

[Snake_Eyes]

You're welcome. :)

[Bsnider]

I live in Ohio and they are common at most pet stores...

[beex215]

sum petstores here says its illegal and just a couple of blocks away they sell them regularly....????>...????

[letsgo]

just moved to san francisco, does anyone know where i can get red bellies, or any other type?. left mine in th philippines =(

[piranahseeker]

just moved to san francisco, does anyone know where i can get red bellies, or any other type?. left mine in th philippines =(

um there not legal in cali sucks though :irked:

[CHOMPERS]

Does anyone know of an online dealer that will ship P's without asking "too many questions"? If ya know what I mean... :naughty: I have Red Bellied Pacus and I am looking at upgrading.

Also, I have a 125 gallon tank...how many are realistic to keep in there?
Thanks

Kinda weird quoting myself, but anyway... I just got back from a three week trip through the northern US and had RBP life support in hand... I couldn't find any in Minnesota, Ohio, or Kentucky. Not enough demand for them I guess.

I have a willing holder of the licenses, but they just have to be kept at the University...I am now working on funding for university owned fish tanks. Gotta love free stuff :raspberry

[abyss721]

does anyone know if piranahs are legal in nevada or arizona

[YeahSqueaky]

Yeah New Jersey. Hopefully nothing changes that and only legalize piranhas everywhere else. I got many years to practice til I'm ready for the big fishies.:headbang2 :Pikachu: :cool-1: :mr-t:

[Pagan]

Kinda weird quoting myself, but anyway... I just got back from a three week trip through the northern US and had RBP life support in hand... I couldn't find any in Minnesota, Ohio, or Kentucky. Not enough demand for them I guess.

I have a willing holder of the licenses, but they just have to be kept at the University...I am now working on funding for university owned fish tanks. Gotta love free stuff :raspberry

I noticed them disappearing from stores about a year ago. I asked the manager of one why that was, he said local legislation was considered, and the store owner panicked. They reduced all of them, and haven't ordered any since. The legislation never got past the talking phase.

[wildbubbadew]

In Texas it is a five hundred dollar fine,per piranha,if caught.

[Cappuccino]

would a 30 gallon rectangle tank be sufficent for say one or 3 piranha(s)
They are definitely illegal in New York.

A 30 gallon tank is not even big enough for one RBP.

[MrFisher]

yep true on the legal states now lets talk about they states that can't sell them but do anyway lol

[Optimist]

I went to a fish store located near my home in Connecticut, and they were selling Pirahnas, only heres the thing: they had them labeled as "Silver Dollars" or "Pacus." Yeah Right! I immediately recognized them as Pirahnas. They had a couple different species within seperate tanks. I had a hunch that Pirahna's were illegal in CT, but I didn't want to make a big fuss about it to the store owner. I had recieved a coupon to the store a couple days earlier, and it said that Pacus were only $1.99 with the coupon (I guess because Pacus are so common around here) Anyway, I ended up buying a Gold Spilo Pirahna that was labeled as a "gold pacu". The price was 50 dollars, but thanks to my coupon, I got it for $1.99. The guy never admitted that it was a pirahna. All he said was: "Be careful, Its very aggressive."

[Jeko]

i personally think its silly too. especially here in Florida where oscars have become a sport fish, but its still legal to buy them... go figure... could someone give me some guidelines on tank recomendations?

[dj blzcrank]

where exactly did you get your red belly in rhode island?

[dj blzcrank]

where exactly did you get your red belly in rhode island?
BlzCrank

[Mad-eye Moody]

I just want to make sure. Can someone who owns pirahnas post here with pics of proof who lives in Chicago area or Illinois. I found this article on a different website saying you can't own pirahnas in Illinois. Can i post websites on this forum so i can refer to it. Thanks

[BIGgourami]

yes you can i know for a fact that you can.

[Peanut_Power]

Hmmm...it was soooo nice living in Nebraska when it came to not having to worry about fish legality. Mississippi sucks for the most part! haha

[superman8908]

i live in ky where they are illegal...so i ended up driving 45 min to ohio and bought each red belly for 8.25 $ ...they didnt ID me or anything...i was a 16 year old kid buying aggresive fish and takin them were their SUPER illegal....due to the ohio river and mississppi river that ky borders...the reason their illegal tho is if they were released into the wild their afraid they'll survive and attack som1...thats y their mostly illegal in southern warmer states...jus dont tell too many people u have em and u should be safe

[mdo135]

I can't beleve they are illigal in Maine... If someone releced them in a river or lake here they would just die in the cold water! It must be because of that stupid movie.

[Onion01]

Stupid florida. We have sharks, crocodiles, gars, snakeheads, alligators, snakes, panthers, and a million other things that can kill you, but we cant have little piranhas. Still, what is a little thing like US Costoms compared dedicated MFK?

[_Sushi_]

Does anybody know if they're legal in Michigan? I don't have enough posts to view the attachment.

I have never had a piranha before, and I'm doing my research before I buy. I found a juvenile pair of RBs at the local LFS.

Would it be OK, to only have 1? It's going to be cramped quarters for a short while, until I can get my paws on a 50 for my P.

I read somewhere, that you can house a juv. in a 10 to 20, and that's my extra tank at the moment. I'll have to move my "killer goldfish" to another tank if I got 2....unfortuantely the bodies won't fit in anything smaller than my 75!! XD

[Davey_8313]

I forgot :screwy:... yes, they are legal to own in Michigan.

[_Sushi_]

Awesome, thanks!!

I never thought I'd fall in love with a "viscous killer" fish!! My friend's boyfriend has a sanchezzi, and another one (can't remember what it was) and she sorta got me interested in them, and I just want to make sure I'm doing it right.

[cjtabares]

I was looking to buy piranhas for the first time. I live in Rhode Island and was in a pet store in mass that sell red belly piranhas. From what I see on the map on the first page piranhas are illegal in mass. It is right on the border of Rhode Island mass state line should I be worried that they are not piranhas. I looked at them from what little I know they look like the real deal. Thanks for any info you can give.

[Doombunny]

Which state agency typically implements/enforces this? Ive trying to look up specifics for my state but can find nothing.


Thanks

[Waldo]

Fish and wildlife law enforcement. They cought a 2' piranha in the columbia river so we can't have them. *SNEEZEPACU* ... oh excuse me. Also a pet store near me has them on display but they are grandfather claused. aparently piranhas live for 6 decades.

[theborg]

we can get them in pa
but can some one tell me more about the if u have them in one state and move to another that you can take them with you thats what i would like to know about thanks

[HazMATT]

why are they illegal in maine... they wouldnt even survive the fall temperatures let alone the winter in the wild.

[KenyanSandBoa]

why are they illegal in maine... they wouldnt even survive the fall temperatures let alone the winter in the wild.

I was just looking at the map and thinking the same thing.

I live in Mass where they are illegal (with typical New England winters), but Ps ARE legal in three of the states that MA borders (NH, VT & RI).

There is also an intersting phenomenon that occurs in NH...if you're looking for Ps in the norther part of the state you're probably not going to find much...but you only really see tanks PACKED with baby red bellies in the pet stores along the MA border...weird. :D

[pitbullbadass]

legalize in calli

[aznxcalikid]

whos the smart guy that actully raised his hand and said i think this fish should be illegal?

[neekaragua]

obviously a majority of those smart guys did

[Cichlid fanatic]

why are they illegal in maine... they wouldnt even survive the fall temperatures let alone the winter in the wild.

I just sent an email to my department of inland fisheries and wildlife asking why they are illegal. if the shock of them entering the cold lakes and ponds dont kill em the Maine winter will. Yes Ah!

[Cichlid fanatic]

I just found the site that has a State by State List of Statutes - Prohibit Piranha. They also have an incomplete list of what will happen if you are in possession of them.
http://opefe.com/state_stat_prohibit.html

[jusxjimmy]

wow

[Vizzerdrix26]

heres the statuate in Idaho in case anyone else here lives there like poor old me

100. PERMITS, REQUIREMENTS FOR IMPORT, EXPORT, TRANSPORT AND SALE
01. Import, Export, Transport, or Sell Restrictions. No permit shall be required from the Department of Fish and Game to import, export, transport or sell the following: (3-23-94)
c. Ornamental or tropical aquarium fish of varieties commonly accepted for interstate shipment, but not including green sturgeon (Acipenser medirostris), white sturgeon (Acipenser transmontanus), walking catfish (family Claridae), bowfin (Amia calva), gar (family Lepiostidae), piranhas (Serrasalmus sp., Rosseveltiella sp. Pygocentrus sp.), rudd (Scardinus erythropthalmus), Ide (Leuciscus idus), grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella), and snakeheads or china fish (Channa sp.). (3-23-94).


Which I think means as long as you have a permit to transport them there ok does anyone else interpert that differently
:confused:

[voss345]

what would you do if you knew someone who kept pirahnas in an illegal state ?

[rkrum]

^^^ It would depend. If they are irresponsible owners and might let them go in the wild when they got tired of them, I would likely report them. If they were responsible and weren't keeping them just to watch them kill things, I probably wouldn't say anything.

But anyways, the law in Colorado reads as follows:

"Except as provided herein, the possession of the following species, their hybrids or viable gametes is prohibited:... Piranha: Including members of the genera Serrasalmus and Pygocentrus."

But further down it says this:

Possession of the above species may be authorized as provided by Chapter 13 of these
regulations (“Possession of Wildlife, Scientific Collecting and Special Licenses”) or Title 35, Article 80, C.R.S. (“Pet Animal Care and Facilities Act”), or as pets in private aquaria. However, release of any of the above species into waters of the state is prohibited.

I called a person who works for the Division of Wildlife (she is in charge of all the special licensing) to clarify. She confirmed that it is legal to posses piranhas and all other species on the prohibited aquatic life list in private aquaria without a permit.

[Enoid]

Oops...I think I should get my permit then...If they were to crack down on the pet shops In CO...They Would ALL be screwed...:footinmou

EDIT: READ POST OF ABOVE. Never mind...

[Michael101]

Does anyone know of the availability of piranhas here in South Africa?

[oashieo]

this is why living in Hawaii makes me crazy!
practically everything you can think of is illegal here, but then again since when do we listen to the law? its so laid back here it isn't even funny. When it comes to the wildlife its more of a serious matter. honestly, im real tired of people and their fighting roosters here EVERYONE in my neighborhood has them. but its illegal to posses them but they don't care so it gets really confusing sometimes :|
is the law the same when it comes to pacu's?

anyone willing to sell me some piranhas? haha i love these little guys with a passion they are by far the most intriguing fish i ever came across! so all this is so frustrating for responsible fish keepers!

[catfishlover106]

man...its a bummer that its illegal here in California....=[ and I do agree with most of the earlier posting of most piranha keeper just buy them to see the viable killing towards another fish...>=0...people like those shouldn't have the given previledges* to own any of this sort of fishes under any circumstances just for some mere show of one fish with teeth against another fish in a fish eat fish action! WE responsible fish keeper's should be given this chance to those who can take care of the fish without hesitating with it outgrowing the tank given to the specific fish being kept in a home aquaria. But for only those with a more advance keeping experience with fish species of the sort...so it can be a more easy job in maintaining the fish at home!!

[pcfriedrich]

Kinda odd that all the southern states made them illegal. Kinda stupid too.

The main reason probably has somthing to do with no disturbing natural wildlife habitats and such if they get realeased into the wild. Im sure they can some major damage to lakes and streams if realeased in quantities.

Any way, southern states made them illegal, but didnt they realize that most water ways travel southernly..... so as long as the northern states have them legal it doesnt matter what the southern states do. If a giant piranah outbreak occurs in ohio those good old boys in kentucky are ****ed anyway.....
yeah, in FL there are a lot of rivers fed by constant 72 degree spring water. piranha would love to F-up that ecosystem.

But Maine? Don't they have muskies and **** up there that would have summer released piranha for a snack? the winter would kill the rest of them.

makes no sense.

[kidd_reafer]

do u know a website where i can order some piranhas

[doktorpaver]

i love my black baby (4 inches) in ohio

[doktorpaver]

errm i mean rhomb since i have de3lved deeper in the knowledge bowl lol

[Robertshadow]

lol good thing I don't really want to keep them, otherwise I would be pissed off@!!! grrr

[Robertshadow]

if they made haps illegal I would start a riot

[jr monster fish]

I dont know if anyone mentioned this yet but the movie wasnt what origanally gave pirhanas a bad name(but it shure as heck helped). this is a segment of an article written by Dr. Herbert R. Axlerod(about breeding pirhanas, actually) .So sit back, relax, and(finally)learn something intresting from history:popcorn:.


HERBERT R. AXELROD
For several years I served as chairman of the Exotic Fishes Committee of the American Fisheries Society, and while in that post I had the responsibility for making recommendations to the Congress about the best means of protecting American Waters from such menaces as the piranha from South America, the walking catfish from southeast Asia and Tilapia from Africa. The fear with which American conservationists viewed the piranha is amazing, and even though I argued that prohibiting the importation of piranhas would not stop their availability since they are so easy to breed, they still proposed laws which made importation illegal except under certain very special circumstances.

http://opefe.com/images/Image742.jpg

Throughout the jungles of South America, children play and splash. Among the piranhas without any fear of these ferocious fishes. Piranhas are dangerous only when they are starving or in an unnatural situation.

Photo by Harald Schultz






I’m frequently asked why piranhas are so feared if I go swimming with them in every river of Brazil, without the slightest hesitation. I’m not that brave…but I’m not stupid either. After spending so much time with Brazilian Indians, I’ve learned to do what they do. They know that piranhas never attack humans in rivers or lakes in which the fish have enough food. They are dangerous only when they are starving, such as in artificial situations (new reservoir, aquaria) or in pools that are drying out and have been isolated from the main body of water (intermittent ponds). How then did this fish get such a terrible reputation? It goes back to the days of our great president Theodore Roosevelt. He is, by the way, the American president I respect so much that I wish he were around to lead us now

These pictures show the piranha in their pre-spawning display, immediately prior to spawning. Photos by Hiroshi Azuma.

http://opefe.com/images/Image747.jpg


Anyway, Teddy Roosevelt planned an expedition to the innermost reaches of Brazil; he hoped to find new animals, fishes and geographical landmarks. Naturally he was an honored guest in Brazil; he was the first North American notable to visit the country’s jungle and all the details of his journey were prepared by the host country. Since he wanted to find something significant, his hosts led him to a huge river which he "discovered" and which eventually bore the name Rio Theodore Roosevelt, named in his honor. It is a branch of the Rio Aripuana. Being a knowing politician, Teddy had a fairly large entourage of reporters who detailed every momentous happening for the American press. The Brazilian hosts were always thinking up spectaculars for the trip, and the famous Brazilian ichthyologist Miranda-Ribeiro got the brilliant idea of taking a small segment of the Rio Theodore Roosevelt and isolating it from the rest of the river by hanging two huge nets across the river a few hundred yards apart. Then scores of local fishermen began catching piranhas with hook and line. Every one that was caught was thrown into the isolated area until several thousand piranhas had been accumulated in this netted-off section of the river.
It was then that Teddy Roosevelt was brought to this part of the river and told about the fierce man-eating fishes to be found there. "No one must dare go near the water," for the fish would certainly eat a man down to his skeleton!!! Of course the reporters…and Teddy… were a bit skeptical about this sort of thing, but their skepticism played right into Miranda-Ribeiro’s hands. "Can you prove this claim? How do we know these piranhas are such fierce and devastating fishes as you say?" the reporters asked.
So the Brazilian host took a sick old cow, which was in season, at the moment and whose main feature was that she had a heavy, bloody discharge, and they drove her into the water.
This top view and the front and back views on the facing page Indicate some of the frenzied spawning antics of this most feared freshwater fish. Their actions are so intense that heavy stones are utilized to hold down the spawning mat. Photos by Hiroshi Azuma

http://opefe.com/images/Image751.jpg

Rio Theodore Roosevelt




Almost immediately the starving, crazed piranhas attacked the cow, and in short order her legs were so badly bitten she fell sideways into the water where her screams and thrashing brought more piranhas onto the scene. The river was bloodied and the piranhas were so excited that they leaped out of the water onto the cow’s body to grasp a mouthful of flesh. The reporters stared in disbelief, for within a few moments the cow was brutally torn apart and devoured by thousands of these starving ten-inch long fish. The newspapers were filled with tales which, though far from being exaggerated, were lacking in the particular detail which would have made the story more honest. Teddy himself was impressed, so he took a fishing rod and caught a few piranhas using a chunk of raw meat as bait. He brought the fish back, and they were scientifically described, naturally, as Serrasalmus roosevelti, in honor of their discoverer.
Many years later, in the 1960’s, a documentary television film was made of the same sort of thing. Willi Schwartz of Manaus, Brazil set up a huge wooden aquarium about 20 feet square and about five feet deep. The tank was filled with about 100 large piranhas…and they were kept so starved that they started to eat each other. Then an animal was thrown into the tank and cameras photographed the scene through glass portholes built into the side of the wooden aquarium. When the film was shown on nationwide network TV in the United States the producers failed to mention the unnatural circumstances under which the film was made…and further stature was added to the big "lie" about piranhas.
This is being written in 1976, while the film "Jaws" is finishing up its fantastically successful run throughout the country. It is a film about a huge white shark which terrorizes a community, beginning by eating a skinny-dipping girl. The film goes so far as to have the shark attack a large wooden board, chewing off the stern and sliding a passenger into his mouth.
The piranhas’ eggs are large and sticky. They adhere to the spawning grass. The lower photo shows a close up of some of the eggs. Photos by Hiroshi Azuma.
If the reports can be believed, the film has grossed more money than any otherfilm in the history of show business. To a scientist it is horrifying in its inaccuracy. The shark itself, by the way, is mechanical!
To follow "Jaws" is supposed to be a film about piranhas. I received a few telephone inquiries about it from "Hollywood" promoters, but I wouldn’t have anything to do with further bad-mouthing of the magnificent piranha; should the film actually be made, I would actively work to preserve the truth as far as piranhas are concerned.
In 25 years of travel and fishing in almost every river system in South America, nearly all of which had schools of piranha, I NEVER was bitten, nor did I ever meet anyone who was bitten…nor did I ever meet anyone who even knew anyone who was bitten by a piranha…and these are mostly Indians who live on the river and swim in it every day. But this does not mean that you can’t be bitten if you stick your hand in your aquarium or grab one in a net! So be careful, but not frightened.


And thats why so many of us cant keep these beutiful animals.And it all started with a really good practical joke, like all good(or not so good)stories.



P.S. Is it still illegal to keep pirhanas in washington(everyone said that map was outdated so I still dont know)???

[pwmin]

Actually, in Colorado, you can keep them in private aquaria. Since they fall under the definition of "topical" a/o "subtropical", they are exempt from permits. Besides that, the Department of Agriculture has final say and they say you can keep any fish that is legal in the US in private aquaria.

[Alan Russell]

I live in Georgia where P's are illegal. The permit is crap. They only issue them to businesses for what they call an "educational permit". One of the many requirements of the permit is that the fish be displayed to the public a minimum of 40 hours a week.
I have want P's since i was a young kid (grew up where they were legal) parents wouldn't go for it. Then they moved us to GA when I was a teen where the law won't go for it.
I know the consequences of keeping illegal fish, but my questions to tou guys/girls is how does the fish keeping community (MFK'ers) look upon keeping illegal fish?

[bumpylemon]

what are the consequences? is the fish and game gonna knock on your door and say to you have an aquarium? are your fish legal? not gonna happen.

[jr monster fish]

Usually they go on tips (if u decided to keep illeagal fish I wouldnt suggust having company).Any consequences vary depending on state & usually involve large fine$ &\or jail time.
As to wether mfk'ers look down on it is personal choice. Personally I think its dumb(& immoral)to keep illeagal fish(are a few fish worth $500 +++ in fines &\or jail time?).

However, I think there is no reason for p's to be illeagal in the us ( mabie some kind of restriction, but not illeagal.
But dont get me wrong it pisses me off to:swear:

[bumpylemon]

^good point. but most people do not know fish laws. there are a lot of fish and plants that are illegal in certain states. just dont be like i got these illegal piranhas haha. just say they are pacu haha

[atizknock]

anyone know the penalty for keeping piranha in ny? its funny i live in a state that has decriminalized marijuana, but they wont let me have piranhas lol.

good thing nj is only like 30 min away heheh

[aspear]

is this illegal to buy or to have?

[Bottomfeeder]

http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/gallery/uploads/2000/tetra.jpg
Awesome! Did you make that!? Make one with Ghost Shrimp. lol Well see how quickly THEY"RE banned.
Just when you thought it was safe to feed your African Butterfly fish...:eek:

[selki]

Stupid movie. We should of make one about killer Bala Sharks, so they could be illegal all over.

Ugh - I do agree though, this gave P's a horrible reputation.


yeah i recently gave away my black peruvian and making bala sharks illegal HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAA WTF

[vtecisgreat]

i want to order some piranhas

[bumpylemon]

i want to order some piranhas

you keeep saying that.....

[Dragonflyx2]

I miss mine. I had one for prolly 13 years.

[Irbanjaxed]

how do you get a permit?

[abortedsoul]

http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/gallery/uploads/2000/tetra.jpg

That has to be the funniest thing I've seen in quite some time. Great sense of humor!

[abortedsoul]

Lol, "How my fish turned me into a Hermit", Hiya Casey J., welcome to MFK.

So funny.