Aro's in Australia?

hardb0iled

Feeder Fish
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Aug 30, 2005
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I used to own a Jardini a few years ago, I loved that fish, used to share a tank with a Barramundi. But unfortunately they both died when I fed them some contaminated bait fish :cry:

I've been looking around the net and am really getting back into the Arowana's, seeing all these awesome Asian varieties. I'm just wondering whats available to us Aussies as far as these varieties? I know our local specimens can be had quite easily but what about the red and gold Asian varieties? Can they be imported or are there local suppliers?
 

catfish

Candiru
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Aug 30, 2004
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im pretty sure they can be imported unless austrlia has a law against owning endangered species. u have to get them from a CITES farm and they will be expensive $1,000+ USD.
 

Steve_89

NISMO
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Mar 30, 2005
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You have to get them off private dealers.

They cost big $$, it can be done though.
 

beblondie

In Loving Memory
Mar 31, 2005
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I believe you'll find all but Aus arrowanas are basicly banned.form importation
however if you look around you might find some but be prepared to pay a lot
for them-Anne
 

IoStrisciare

Fire Eel
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May 9, 2005
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A Watery Grave
If you do get an asian aro thru more *ahem* varied means...

do check to see that you've got the right stuff... many ppl have ended up paying ridiculous prices for cheap asian species...
 

beblondie

In Loving Memory
Mar 31, 2005
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there is a form you can get and fill out and submit
In order to ammend the EPBC Act (the law which determines which animals and plants can and can't be imported) you need to fill out a rather lengthy form with information about the species of fish you wish to import

Section 1 Taxonomic information

1. Identify which family the species belongs to.
2. Identify which genus the species belongs to.
3. Identify the species.
4. Note what common names the species is known as (if any)

For example, Splash Tetras, also known as Characins and Jumping Tetras (common names), are known scientifically as Copeina arnoldi, where 'Copeina' is the genus and 'arnoldi' is the species. All tetras belong to the family Lebiasinidae.

5. Is the species a genetically-modified organism (GMO)? Identify if the species has been genetically modified. If your species has been genetically modified or engineered, you will need to contact the Office of the Gene Technology Regulator (www.ogtr.gov.au) before proceeding with this application.

What is the proposed purpose of the import? Specify the reason you are planning to import the species. This may be for eligible non-commercial purposes such as research, education, exhibition, conservation breeding, household pet or travelling exhibition, or for commercial purposes.

Section 2 General information

7. Is this species ever aggressive? Identify whether this species has ever acted in an aggressive manner towards other species, including humans, outside of any usual predator-prey interactions.
8. Has the species ever injured people? Identify whether there are any recorded instances of this species causing harm to people.
9. Does the animal have organs capable of inflicting harm? A positive response for this question would arise if the species has organs such as teeth, a bill, spines, claws or nematocysts that are capable of causing injuries to people that are more significant than minor cuts or bruises.
10. Can the species release toxins that are harmful to people? Identify if this species produces toxins that may cause harm to humans. If yes, indicate if an antivenin is available.
11. How much do adults of this species weigh? Provide information on the weight range of adults of both sex.
12. What countries does this species occur in naturally? What is the natural distribution of this species. Exclude any areas where the species has been introduced through human intervention.
13. Has this species ever established a breeding population outside of its native range? Identify any areas where this species has established a breeding population outside of its natural range.
14. What is the diet of this species? Identify what type of food this species eats:

Carnivore - taken to include animals that eat primarily other animals.
Herbivore - taken to include animals that eat primarily plant matter or algae.
Omnivore - these animals eat a broad range of food from both animals and plant/algal origins.

15. If this species is a strict herbivore or a strict carnivore, does it have a broad, generalised diet, or a narrow, specialised diet? If the species is a strict herbivore or carnivore, identify whether it eats a wide variety of plants or animals, or if it is a specialist feeder on only one or two types of food. An example of strict carnivores is baleen whales which eats primarily krill.
16. Can the species live in modified habitats? Identify if this species can live in habitats that have been modified by humans, either directly or indirectly.
17. Is the species considered a pest anywhere in its natural or introduced range? A pest is a species of animals that causes widescale economic cost or amenity loss through its presence or activities. Identify whether this species is subject to active management to reduce population numbers.
18. Has the species ever been recorded causing damage to … [see list]? Identify if this species has been recorded as having a detrimental impact on the identified groups of animals and activities.
19. Does the species attack or prey on wildlife? Identify if the species has the capacity to attack or prey on the listed wildlife.
20. Is the species susceptible to, or could it transmit any diseases or parasites that can harm people? Identify if the species could potentially transmit harmful diseases or parasites to humans.
21. Could wild populations of the species use the same resources as native Australian species? This question seeks to identify if the species could compete with native Australian species.
22. Does the species nest, shelter or feed in or around any of the following habitats? This question seeks to identify if the species could impact on the listed habitats.
23. Does the species construct burrows or dig near or around waterways? Identify if the species does/can burrow or otherwise disturb the substrate (soil or sand) around waterways.
24. Does the species eat or disturb wetlands? This question seeks to identify if the species may have a negative impact on native wetland vegetation.
25. Could the species cause pollution of water bodies? This question seeks to identify if the species could impact native aquatic flora and fauna by polluting waterways.
26. Could the species hybridise with any Australian native species? Identify whether the species could negatively impact native species through hybridisation.
27. Is the species already present in Australia? Identify if this species already occurs in Australia. If possible, also indicate when this species was first introduced.
28. Have you attached draft Terms of Reference for the assessment of the potential impacts of importing the species on the Australian environment? Suggested draft Terms of Reference are at the back of the application form. You must attach draft Terms of Reference to the application form. Your application cannot be processed without these as it is a statutory requirement under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.
29. Declaration by the applicant. You must complete the Declaration by writing your name, signing and dating the form. Without these entries, the form is not complete and will be returned to you for completion.
then I believe theres quarantine you'll need to pay for and import fees-Anne
 

hardb0iled

Feeder Fish
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Aug 30, 2005
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hmmm ok thats a lot of information. thanks for the replies.

beblondie - so answering all those questions and submitting the form is to actually change the law and allow that species to be imported? If someone has already gone through that trouble of submitting the form does that mean its already on record and can be imported or must this be done each time someone wants to import that species?

This is more for general interest then anything I'm planning to do anytime soon. Although my mother does live in KL and regularly visits Singapore, and I'll probably make another trip over there within the next 12 months so I may be tempted if its possible?
 

Steve_89

NISMO
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Mar 30, 2005
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Bro you will not be able to bring an arowana back with you.

Trust me you dont want to even be thinking about it! Unless you want to pay a HUGE fine and maybe even jail time.

Its not worth it.
 

Steve_89

NISMO
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IoStrisciare said:
If you do get an asian aro thru more *ahem* varied means...

do check to see that you've got the right stuff... many ppl have ended up paying ridiculous prices for cheap asian species...
Totally agree with this. I have seen many asians for sale for ridiculus prices and the quality is really poor.

But hey thats what you get for living in Australia. You take what you can get.
 

nick

Candiru
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May 1, 2005
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an asian aro besaides green or yellow will cost 3k plus at least and thats a 3-5incher.....

in the U.S. a 5 in red goes for 4-5k
 
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