about arapaima..

[pharmaecopia]

An arapaima kept in a too-small tank will suffer one of three fates: it'll stunt until it dies, it'll be killed for growing too large, or it'll be released. The first guarantees a bad death, the second might be, and the third will probably not end well for either the fish or the environment it's released into. Theoretically someone could find out that their fish will need a pond and will build one for it, but that really just doesn't seem likely.
An arapaima grown for food will be kept in a pen of some sort that will probably be crowded but will be fairly large, it will be kept healthy enough to grow to a fairly large size, and it will then be killed fairly quickly. That means it'll probably live longer than an aquarium arapaima, it'll have more space, and its death will probably be more humane.
I wouldn't say the ones raised for aquariums are anywhere near 'lucky'.

Farm raised fish would generally be killed off at about a year old or 3' in most cases.

P pharmaecopia dont take this personally, but you just highlighted my exact points why its not a great idea to stock them in an LFS without being special order, which is people will impulse buy these large fish without much 2nd thought if they are cheap enough...

The same can be said of this hobby in general. Most people don't research any purchases ahead of time, monster or not. I know in my area if I go on a shopping trip I'll come across tons of arowanas, large growing pims, stingrays, alligator gars, peacock bass, id sharks, giant gouramis and generally a couple lungfish. The reason for this is because there is the demand for these species in the hobby. If there wasn't these would be brought in.

 

[Fat Homer]

^ yes, but those fish you mentioned also dont grow to 6'+ in length, to the point most hobbiest cant house them for life...

 

[Betta132]

^But it's a year in conditions meant to encourage growth, which means decent water, decent food, and decent space. Maybe it's not going to live a long, happy life, but it's better off than being kept in a tank that might not even be 3' long.

 

[RD.]

Just for educational purposes, not because I hate everyone.

http://www.amazone.com.pe/product.php

If you scroll down to the last photo on that page, it's almost as if the fish is laughing along with the chefs, as though thanking his lucky stars that he was raised for human consumption.

 

[GarNiac]

ouch

 

[wild bill]

I wish people would think before asking for govt. regs. every time people do it comes back to bite them. If we get regulations banning large or certain fish it will end with all fish. There are groups out there that hope for our demand of regulations. Any bill or regulation will end up tweaked to make another belly acher happy. If you don't agree with a stores choice of stock don't support them. But remember what drew you to that store in the first place. The old saying be careful what you wish for you just might get it applies here. Because the next fish banned may be one you have and really enjoy.

 

[boomerk9]

Currently in my country of Malaysia, there are apparently laws restricting the import or sale of arapaimas. Being a tropical country, arapaimas can survive well in our local waterways (those few that are not devastated by pollution that is), and may even breed successfully.
However small arapaimas are still widely and easily available in local fish shops. The more law abiding ones sell them with microchips inserted into the arapaimas, and details of buyers are recorded when sold.

 

[TheReefer]

I have no issue with the arapaima (or other large monster fish in general), but I would say that the customer has to prove they can properly house it and the fish should be microchipped so they can track it back to you if you do release it into the wild so they can prosecute you

 

[Galantspeedz]

At the same time, please ban those under age of 40 from driving anything faster than a tricycle

 

[Fat Homer]

Currently in my country of Malaysia, there are apparently laws restricting the import or sale of arapaimas. Being a tropical country, arapaimas can survive well in our local waterways (those few that are not devastated by pollution that is), and may even breed successfully.
However small arapaimas are still widely and easily available in local fish shops. The more law abiding ones sell them with microchips inserted into the arapaimas, and details of buyers are recorded when sold.

For some reason i always thought Malaysia was quite lax with their laws regarding wildlife (similar to China)...

So good to see they are trying to hold people accountable for owning larger fish, coz as i’ve said before, i’ve got no problem with people special ordering large fish if they can accommodate them or at least have solid plans for them...