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Piranha Source:

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Do I need a permit to possess, import, or export a piranha?  You do not need a permit from us for possession or for the non-commercial import or export of piranha (Serrasalmus sp.) into the United States.

• A person engaged in business as an importer or exporter of wildlife must obtain an import/export license.

• You must import or export your pet piranha through a designated port unless you have received a port exception permit. You must notify the FWS wildlife inspection office at the port of entry or exit at least 48 hours in advance, present our declaration form to the wildlife inspectors, and receive clearance from us prior to export or at the time of import. Click here for our information on commercially importing and exporting wildlife.

• No live piranha may be released into the wild except by the State wildlife conservation agency having jurisdiction over the area of release or by persons having prior written permission from such agency.  Some States also the possession and transport of piranha.

• Check with the foreign county to meet its requirements.

THE LACY ACT

The Lacey Act provides that it is unlawful for any person to import, export, transport, sell, receive, acquire, or purchase any fish or wildlife or plant taken, possessed, transported, or sold in violation of any law, treaty, or regulation of the United States or in violation of any Indian tribal law whether in interstate or foreign commerce. Fines imposed can be excessive.

1.

ALABAMA

Controlled under State Code and Permit Program

Piranha or any Serrasalmus spp.

2.

ARIZONA

Arizona Game and Fish Commission Regulations R12-4-406(F).

Piranha, all species of the genera Serrasalmus, Serrasalmo, Phygocentrus, Teddyella, Rooseveltiella, and Pygopristis.

3.

ARKANSAS

Controlled under State Code and Permit Program

Prianha - may be possessed for display and educational purposes with a written permit from the Arkansas Game and Fish

4.

CALIFORNIA

California Code of Regulations, title 14, section 671: Illegal to import, transport, or possess live specimens w/o a permit

(D) Family Characidae - Characins
2. All species of the genera Serrasalmus, Serrasalmo, Pygocentrus, Taddyella, Rooseveltiella, and Pygopristis (Piranhas) 

5.

COLORADO

Possession of the listed species on the right  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 species into waters of the state is prohibited.

#012 – POSSESSION OF AQUATIC WILDLIFE

A. Except as provided in these regulations or authorized by the Division of Wildlife or under Title 33 or Title 35 C.R.S., it shall be unlawful for any person to possess any live native or nonnative aquatic wildlife in Colorado.
B. No person shall, at any time, have in possession or under their control any wildlife caught, taken or killed outside of this state which were caught, taken or killed at a time, in a manner, for a purpose, or in any other respect which is prohibited by the laws of the state, territory or country in which the same were caught, taken or killed; or which were shipped out of said state, territory or country in violation of the laws thereof.
C. Except as provided herein, the possession of the following species, their hybrids or viable gametes is prohibited:
13. Piranha: Including members of the genera Serrasalmus and Pygocentrus.
16. Snakeheads or murrels: Members of the genera Channa, Parachanna and Ophicephalus
19. Trahira.

6.

CONNECTICUT

Importation of Fish

26-55-1. Importation, transportation

 or liberation of live fish or live fish eggs

The importation or possession of piranha of the subfamily: Serrasalminae, genera Serrasalmus, Serrasalmo, Pygocentrus, Teddyella, Roosevetiella, and Pygopristus is prohibited  - discretionary permit issued by Commissioner.

7.

FLORIDA

Rule 68A-23.008 Florida Administrative Code and Chapter 370.081 Florida Statues

Subfamily Serrasalminae (including Serrasalmus spp., Pygocentrus spp., Pygopristis spp., Rooseveltiella spp.) No permits will be granted for any species of piranha or pirambeba (subfamily Serrasalminae).

8.

GEORGIA

Official Code 27-5

Class Osteichthyes: (A) Order Cypriniformes (Suborder Characoidei): Family Characidae (tetra, piranha): Genera Serrasalmus, Serrasalmo, Pygocentrus, Taddyella, Rooseveltiella, Pygopristis (piranhas) -- All species;

9.

HAWAII

Prohibited Animal List - §4-71-6

Family Characidae; Catoprion (all species in genus) Pygocentrus (all species in genus); Piranha,  Serrasalminae - Piranha, (all species in subfamily except the species in the following genera: Colossoma, pacu; Metynnis, silver dollar; Myleus, silver dollar; Myloplus, myloplus; and Mylossoma, pacu). Serrasalmo (all species in genus), Serrasalmus (all species in genus).

10.

IDAHO

IDAPA 13.01.10.100.01.c

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).

11.

KENTUCKY

301 KAR 1:122 Importation, possession; live fish

Section 3. The following live aquatic organisms shall not be imported, sold, possessed in aquaria or otherwise: (1) Sub-family Serrasalminae - piranha, piraya, pirae, or tiger characins.

12.

LOUISIANA

Controlled under State Code and Permit Program

Piranha (except under permit at public facilities)

13.

MAINE

Unrestricted Species List

Title 12 MRSA 7237, and 7377

Regulations Chapter 2.3 and 7.60

Only species appearing on the unrestricted species list may be possessed. 

(Piranhas are not on the list, therefore illegal to own).

14.

MASSACHUSETTS

All aquarium trade fish may be kept without a permit except species categorically non-exempt pursuant to 321 CMR 9.01(3), and except that the following species are prohibited without a permit

Piranha (Pygocentrus spp. and Serrasalmus spp.)

15.

MISSISSIPPI

Permits required for all non-native plants and animals. Piranha are prohibited under separate regulation

Piranha and pirambeba all species (Serrasalminiae)

16.

NEVADA

NAC 503.110

Piranhas - all species in the genera Serrasalmus, Serrasalmo, Pygocentrus, Teddyella, Rooseveltiella and Pygopristis.

17.

NEW MEXICO

Article VII - Aquatic Wildlife 33-1-102, C.R.S.

Piranha: including members of the genera Serrasalmus and Pygocentrus

18.

NEW YORK

Statutory Authority: ECL 1117-03 (6)

 No person shall import, export, own or possess, acquire or dispose of live pirhanna fish (Serrasalmus, Rooseveltiella, or Pyrocentrus) within the state without a license or permit issued at the discretion of the department for scientific, biological, or exhibition purposes.

19.

OKLAHOMA

Amended at 8 Ok Reg 2005, [eff  5-13-91]

Piranha group: Serrasalmus spp., Pygocentrus spp., Rooseveltiella spp., Catoprion spp.

20.

NORTH CAROLINA

Possession of Certain Fishes 15a ncac 10c .0211

It is unlawful to transport, purchase, possess or sell any live individuals of piranha.

 21.

RHODE ISLAND

Effective April 2010: These regulations are authorized pursuant to R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-17.1-2(19) and Chapter 4-18 as amended, and have been promulgated pursuant to the procedures set forth in the R.I. Administrative Procedures Act, R.I. Gen. Laws Chapter 42-35.

1. List of Fish. All aquarium trade fish may be kept without an exotic animal possession permit except endangered species. The Division of Fish and Wildlife may have additional regulations if the species of fish is considered to be native or nuisance. Possession of the following species requires an exotic animal possession permit:

1. Grass Carp or White Amur (Ctenopharyngdon idella)

2. Piranha (Pygocentrus spp.and Serrasalmus spp.)

3. Rudd (Scardinius erythrophthalmus)

4. Walking Catfish (Clarias spp and all members of the family Clariidae)

5. Snakeheads (Channidae and Parachannidae

22.

SOUTH CAROLINA

SECTION 1. Section 50-13-1630(A) of the 1976 Code

Piranha (all members of Serrasalmus, Rooseveltiella, and Pygocentrus genera);

23.

TEXAS

TAC Title 31, Part 2, Chapter 57, SubChapter A. RULE §57.111

Piranhas and Pirambebas: Family Serrasalmideae, Subfamily: Serrasalminae--all species except pacus of the genus Piaractus.

24.

UTAH

Title 16, Chapter 16-100

Piranha

25.

VIRGINIA

4 VAC 15-30-10 Possession, importation, sale, etc., of wild animals

Characidae Pygopristis spp. Piranhas, Pygocentrus spp. Rooseveltiella spp. Serrasalmo spp. Taddyella spp.

26.

WASHINGTON

Appendix C Deleterious Exotic Wildlife WAC 232-12-017 and 232-12-01701

Piranha (also pirambeba, caribe, pira, piraya, chupita, rodoleira, palometa) and all species of the genera Serrasalmus, Rooseveltiella, and Pygocentrus