Why are these being sold????

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They are banned here in victoria, I go to albury for work every few months and see they are available there so you should be o.k in NSW.
You can still get them on the black market here in various backyard aquarium shops though but they are expensive due to the legal situation.

No way!?! Ugh our gov get it so wrong sometimes. I was just wondering coz they are sold so openly here in NSW. It’s always a couple of drongos who act like galahs and end up setting off a bunch of new crazy laws.
Time to start a Koi farm

As for the dead horse... I feel it’s the responsibility of the seller to educate the potential customer. Any decent IFS should advise you on suitability, diet, requirements and size etc.
Of course in the end it’s totally down to the customer to do the right thing and walk away from a fish they can’t provide a quality life for.


Perfect examples of bans gone wrong
 
So we are back on the topic of bans? I grew up in an area of Canada/US where 60 yrs ago carp and koi had damaged the ecosystem to almost a point of no return. So parts of AU have deemed them noxious, again due to the morons of the world who feel it's ok to let aquarium fish go free into natural waterways. Bans are never going to be perfect, but it beats sticking ones head into the sand and pretending that there isn't a problem. Invasive species threaten wild ecosystems by outcompeting native fish and destroying natural habitat, what part of that don't people understand? No one wants the Govt to intervene, but what other option is available when people can't use common sense, and follow guidelines? Toss a 1K fine onto someone's ass and most folks start to think twice.
 
Theres two discussions on the topic of bans.

1) The discussion of fish that shouldnt be kept due to their size.


2) invasive species. I think most of us agree its necessary. Though Ogertron3000 Ogertron3000 provided a pretty good example on why they are problematic.
Guy buys a koi in an area they are not banned all's good in the hood.... he moves to victoria and unknowingly is keeping a banned fish. Maybe theres legal consequences.

I think common sense can also be applied to understanding that two different conversations are taking place
 
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I agree with the above, and will give a couple of examples (although not all aquarium related).
I grew up on the shores of Lke Michigan.
When I was a kid, there were smelt, sculpin, bass, walleye and many other species in the near shore areas.
Now, just about the only thing you find are Asian Gobies, and zebra/Quagga mussels, probably from the bilge of international ships.
The perch fishing industry that was once booming, has totally collapsed, and the lake is heading toward a mono-culture system, at least near shore.
Another example
In the 1960s a Dr wanted a pond on the shore of Lake Gatun Panama, near where I live now, with Peacock bass.
During the rainy season those 6 P-bass (of course) escaped, now.....
most of the endemic cichlids are gone from the lake, eaten by the P-bass.
All it takes are a couple to ruin the entire system.
 
I agree with the above, and will give a couple of examples (although not all aquarium related).
I grew up on the shores of Lke Michigan.
When I was a kid, there were smelt, sculpin, bass, walleye and many other species in the near shore areas.
Now, just about the only thing you find are Asian Gobies, and zebra/Quagga mussels, probably from the bilge of international ships.
The perch fishing industry that was once booming, has totally collapsed, and the lake is heading toward a mono-culture system, at least near shore.
Another example
In the 1960s a Dr wanted a pond on the shore of Lake Gatun Panama, near where I live now, with Peacock bass.
During the rainy season those 6 P-bass (of course) escaped, now.....
most of the endemic cichlids are gone from the lake, eaten by the P-bass.
All it takes are a couple to ruin the entire system.

I think everyone is in agreement on invasive species but where some of us disagree is on labeling something unacceptable because it gets to large or isnt cared for properly.
Thats a shame what the p-bass caused btw
 
The AU example was regarding species deemed noxious, and they are indeed a noxious species of fish. That's just a reality. People who live in AU generally understand what's legal, what's not, and more importantly why (at least in certain areas of the country) it's so important that the rules be followed to a T. If someone doesn't take the time to educate themselves, and catches a fine, I have zero sympathy for them.

So no, IMO the carp/koi ban in AU is not a perfect example of bans gone wrong. It's a perfect example of why govt agencies have had to step in and create more legislation, red tape, and outright bans in certain states.
 
My LFS had a really small one for only $90, but they wouldn't sell it to just anyone. It ended up in a 5,000 gallon. They also have a Goliath tiger for $400 that they're trying to find a suitable home for
 
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I believe that Zoodiver Zoodiver once stated that in his opinion an adult Arapaima requires a minimum of 15,000 gallons. His pima grew to 6ft in the first two years.

L Luc70 definitely had it going on in his 20 ft x 10 ft, and 4-5 ft deep pond. https://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/threads/arapaima-question.569956/

The build here: https://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/threads/arapaima-pond-build.455084/page-18

But not a ton of people out there that have that kind of set up to house an adult Arapaima.
 
But not a ton of people out there that have that kind of set up to house an adult Arapaima.
Probably less than 1%of people in the hobby .
I think that 1% should be able to order such fish from source. I don't think such fish should be mass sold in lfs. If bans reduce cruelty and save ecosystems, I'm not selfish enough to not be all for it.
Bring onthe bans, I can keep something else.
 
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