Lacey D
- #1
Guanchy
Short answer: Asian Arowana are illegal in the US because of the Endangered Species Act, and the US agreeing to comply with banning CITES protected species. The Asian Arowana has been on the CITES protected list since its creation in the 70's because it is endangered (or possibly extinct) in the wild. However it is fairly easily and extensively bred in captivity, in massive ponds in Malaysia and Singapore. Ponds which are often protected by armed guards because the exclusivity of the fish and their desirability in Asian markets, where they are called dragon fish and are believed to bring good fortune, meaning they fetch thousands or tens of thousands of dollars each.
I will link articles and videos here about it
They are also legal in many other countries, including Canada. Which is why the "King of DIY" Joey had an Asian Arowana for years. I believe he only has Silver Arowana now though, ever since Buddy died.
More information about Asian Arowana, discussions around why they are illegal, and the strong possibility that in the near future they WILL be available here in the US...for what I personally consider the worst possible reason :/
People HAVE found them for sale here in the US btw:
Asian Arowana are illegal in USA but, ...
And one person's prediction that they will become legal soon:
My bold prediction.. Asian Arowanas will be legal in USA
BTW, I am all for making the farm raised ones available here in the US. I believe they will still be prohibitively expensive, but it will cut down on the illegal fish trade and on people poaching them from the wild. As Dustin says in this video, farm bred fish are redder and overall nicer looking than the wild stock:
Short answer: Asian Arowana are illegal in the US because of the Endangered Species Act, and the US agreeing to comply with banning CITES protected species. The Asian Arowana has been on the CITES protected list since its creation in the 70's because it is endangered (or possibly extinct) in the wild. However it is fairly easily and extensively bred in captivity, in massive ponds in Malaysia and Singapore. Ponds which are often protected by armed guards because the exclusivity of the fish and their desirability in Asian markets, where they are called dragon fish and are believed to bring good fortune, meaning they fetch thousands or tens of thousands of dollars each.
I will link articles and videos here about it
They are also legal in many other countries, including Canada. Which is why the "King of DIY" Joey had an Asian Arowana for years. I believe he only has Silver Arowana now though, ever since Buddy died.
More information about Asian Arowana, discussions around why they are illegal, and the strong possibility that in the near future they WILL be available here in the US...for what I personally consider the worst possible reason :/
People HAVE found them for sale here in the US btw:
Asian Arowana are illegal in USA but, ...
And one person's prediction that they will become legal soon:
My bold prediction.. Asian Arowanas will be legal in USA
BTW, I am all for making the farm raised ones available here in the US. I believe they will still be prohibitively expensive, but it will cut down on the illegal fish trade and on people poaching them from the wild. As Dustin says in this video, farm bred fish are redder and overall nicer looking than the wild stock: