Arowana Permitting?

Question

I am aware of the CITES endangered species listings on Asian Arowana. I do have 2 Silver ones of the South American heritage, and an Austrailian/Malaysian crossed Arowana. I am and have been for months now trying to locate where and how to apply for a permit to import a red/green/and or Golden Arowana from Asia. Where do I find this information, and what kind of requirements can I expect to encounter? Educated or researched answers please.

I apologize for not specifiying. I am in USA, looking to bring in a red preferrable, or green/golden would be fine. I need to know what is required on my end to bring one to USA.

Magic, I agree and ty for the wish of luck, but where do I find how to get a permit? The application, and requirements is what I need to know.

I realize the pricing on the fish, but so I do not get in a legal jam, I just need to know who/where do I contact to get a permit to import an arowana from Singapore,Malaysia, and or Indonesia to the USA. Do I need any permits from the state I live in? I am in New Jersey.

Answer 1

You'd need a permit from the US Fish and Wildlife Service, and they do not issue permits for Asian arowana (AKA Asian bonytongue or Scleropages formosus) which would include gold, green, or red arowanas for commercial purposes or for personal pets - see bonytongue, about 2/3 of the way down this page: http://www.fws.gov/permits/faqs/FaqB.shtml

Answer 2

First you need to locate genuine farm breed golden arowana (From Singapore, Malaysia or Indonesia) which should be radio tag and comes along with a certificate with the serial number of the tag.

You will then have to find a way to ship the fish to the country you reside. But before that you should search for the requirement and quarantine process required by your country's animal control ministry or department before you should even consider do anything else.

For Singapore, to export CITES Species goto ... http://www.ava.gov.sg/AVA/Templates/AVA-GenericContentTemplate.aspx?NRMODE=Published&NRORIGINALURL=%2fAnimalsPetSector%2fCITESEndangeredSpecies%2findex%2ehtm&NRNODEGUID=%7b1ED3D89F-2AF7-496E-BBFA-EB16CAE9B95C%7d&NRCACHEHINT=Guest#4

Answer 3

In addition to the above information be aware that permits are usually only granted to public aquaria, zoos, or schools and research facilities that can prove their need for that specific species. Permits are not usually granted lightly. Best of luck.

MM

Answer 4

particular they are unlawful hence, any import or export/re-export of Asian Arowanas require CITES facilitates and for commercial commerce, the importer or exporter could be authorized below the licence to import or export ornamental fish

Answer 5

In addition to the above info... most of the red arrowana I see on hidden auctions on aquabid.com go for around $4,500 each... That's not a cheap fish.