Michigan Cichlid Association

General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: four_by_ken on December 13, 2014, 10:33:23 AM

Title: When did snakeheads become banned in MI?
Post by: four_by_ken on December 13, 2014, 10:33:23 AM
I swear that when I used to work at a fish store (a long time ago) and order fish... I could get them.  The ones with the white stripe down the middle and red tails.

About when did they become banned?
Title: Re: When did snakeheads become banned in MI?
Post by: rcombs on December 13, 2014, 10:38:48 AM
Snakeheads as babies are bright red. The stripe comes in and red starts to fade as they become older. They are an invasive species and were originally introduced in Florida as a pet. It is now a felony to be caught importing them. They will wipe out a lakes population And even attack humans. They get too large for some tanks and then the owner dumps them in the local lakes, rivers. They are worse than dogfish. Faster and way more aggressive.
Title: Re: When did snakeheads become banned in MI?
Post by: four_by_ken on December 13, 2014, 10:47:36 AM
Snakeheads as babies are bright red. The stripe comes in and red starts to fade as they become older. They are an invasive species and were originally introduced in Florida as a pet. It is now a felony to be caught importing them. They will wipe out a lakes population And even attack humans. They get too large for some tanks and then the owner dumps them in the local lakes, rivers. They are worse than dogfish. Faster and way more aggressive.

I know all this... but, when did this happen... legally?

I swear I could buy them when I was ordering fish for the store.  But, this was 20 years ago.
Title: Re: When did snakeheads become banned in MI?
Post by: fishman on December 13, 2014, 10:59:18 AM
2002  There was a lake in Maryland that was loaded with them.  This has been on a number of fish related cable shows.  The ban is national.  I understand that you can still purchase and keep these fish in Canada.  If you wish to find a list of banned fish, plants and inverts, check out the DNR site.
I swear that when I used to work at a fish store (a long time ago) and order fish... I could get them.  The ones with the white stripe down the middle and red tails.

About when did they become banned?

Title: Re: When did snakeheads become banned in MI?
Post by: four_by_ken on December 13, 2014, 11:39:13 AM
I dont want one... was just curious how long it has been since you were not supposed to keep them anymore.
Title: Re: When did snakeheads become banned in MI?
Post by: kodyboy on December 13, 2014, 11:57:36 AM
It is a stupid law as it also bans small snakehead species that are not a threat.
Title: Re: When did snakeheads become banned in MI?
Post by: kodyboy on December 13, 2014, 12:00:20 PM
Hobbyists need to pay attention to the morons in Washington as they will ban all ornamental fish given a chance.  They have tried a few times already.
Title: Re: When did snakeheads become banned in MI?
Post by: Regalblue on December 13, 2014, 02:27:14 PM
It is a stupid law as it also bans small snakehead species that are not a threat.
exactly....  I'd love a rainbow or a blue

Hobbyists need to pay attention to the morons in Washington as they will ban all ornamental fish given a chance.  They have tried a few times already.
  They definitely would.
Title: Re: When did snakeheads become banned in MI?
Post by: Ron on December 13, 2014, 02:30:05 PM
I've always felt bummed about this law, as a big snakehead is one of the few "monsters" I'd like to potentially keep.

Asian arowana is another one. I had no problem with the law when they were rare, but now that they are actively being bred in ponds, it'd be nice to have the option to keep one. Canada can IIRC.
Title: Re: When did snakeheads become banned in MI?
Post by: four_by_ken on December 13, 2014, 03:25:54 PM
Wow... rainbow and blue... cool!
Title: Re: When did snakeheads become banned in MI?
Post by: Steve on December 13, 2014, 03:34:33 PM
Quote
Asian arowana is another one. I had no problem with the law when they were rare, but now that they are actively being bred in ponds, it'd be nice to have the option to keep one. Canada can IIRC.

Are there just certain Arowana that are illegal and some that are legal?
Title: Re: When did snakeheads become banned in MI?
Post by: Regalblue on December 13, 2014, 04:19:37 PM
Quote
Asian arowana is another one. I had no problem with the law when they were rare, but now that they are actively being bred in ponds, it'd be nice to have the option to keep one. Canada can IIRC.

Are there just certain Arowana that are illegal and some that are legal?
Yes
Title: Re: When did snakeheads become banned in MI?
Post by: Steve on December 13, 2014, 05:26:38 PM
  I know there's one at Royal right now so figured there must be different varieties of them but didn't know some were illegal. Why are some illegal and some aren't? That seems odd.
Title: Re: When did snakeheads become banned in MI?
Post by: Ron on December 13, 2014, 05:47:22 PM
  I know there's one at Royal right now so figured there must be different varieties of them but didn't know some were illegal. Why are some illegal and some aren't? That seems odd.
At one time, the asian aros were suffering from over-collecting in the wild, leading to the demise of their existing population. The non-asian aros are legal (ex: silver aro, australian/jardini aro, black aro, and the (ugly) african aro).
Title: Re: When did snakeheads become banned in MI?
Post by: Regalblue on December 14, 2014, 12:57:53 AM
Wow... rainbow and blue... cool!
;)
Title: Re: When did snakeheads become banned in MI?
Post by: pyro on December 14, 2014, 11:00:14 AM
I understand that you can still purchase and keep these fish in Canada.

I'm afraid not. These fish have been banned here (Ontario) for a number of years now. I think they can still be kept in Manitoba and Quebec but don't quote me on that.