Snakeheads. Available?

[BluEyes]

I never heard anything about a law even being considered.
How did they spread the word that a new law was being considered?

The proposal was introduced 7/26, and enacted by 10/4 - seems kinda fast And they only invited comment for 30 days?

There were less than 500 voices raised on the issue, and most irrelevant to the topic - sounds like a rushed-through, hushed job.
What, weren't there any petitions to stop the banning of the channidae?

 

[OrionGirl]

I recall reading about this in the newspapers, and seeing a few things floating around the web about it as well.

A 30 day comment period is pretty standard. Let's not start some conspiracy theory about them hishing this up--there was tons of media attention given to the topic.

http://www.usnewswire.com/topnews/prime/0723-162.html

http://dnr.state.il.us/pubaffairs/2002/Sept/snakeheardban.htm

http://www.greaterboston.tv/features/gb_072502_snakehead.html (i love this one--calls them part fish, part snake )

http://www.ncwildlife.org/pg03_fishing/pg3g3.htm

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,58538,00.html

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2002/07/0712_020712_snakehead.html

This is but a small sample of the stories that ran.

 

[tyler]

why would you want to keep something like this? and where would you keep it?

 

[ThirdEyE]

...

a friend of mine who works at a local lfs has 2 snakeheads,
ones 42 inches and the other is 36 inches.

he keeps them in a garage in a 240 gallon and said they've broken about 7 55 gallons growing up. they dont like anyone near the tank and the biggest one is about 6 inches in diameter.

 

[Open Water Predator]

yeah i found some of those same articles shortly after posting the thread; confirming what i'd already known. maybe i'll move to vancouver.

 

[JamisonBWolsh]

Pirahana are illegal in many states, yet poeple own them. If you really want them, its possible to get them.

Ferrats are illegal in California. You cannot buy them or have them as pets. YET, you do see "how to care for Ferrets" books in the pet stores. Local vets are also willing to take care of them if they are sick.

Some Laws are meant only for the "common" fishkeepers that are irresponsible and dump them in a lake. I think professionals like us, are able to keep them.

 

[BluEyes]

Originally posted by JamisonBWolsh
Some Laws are meant only for the "common" fishkeepers that are irresponsible and dump them in a lake. I think professionals like us, are able to keep them.

enforcement MIGHT work this way if "Officer friendly" is the one who comes knocking. But, by the letter of the law (as I understand it) this means that no-one is allowed to. "amateur" or "professional", or someone selling a fish for food.
Of course, if the guy who you get it from never tells, and you don't tell, and you don't set it loose then...

Tyler, as for "why would you want to keep something like this? and where would you keep it?" Not all snakeheads are 3' viscious monsters like the red snakehead (yes, they are one of the more aggressive fishes in the aqarium trade)
There are also species like Channa orientalis which only grows to 6" and can be kept with other compatible species (no neons!)
Personally, I would someday like to have a Red. In something like an 8' tank, of course...

 

[JamisonBWolsh]

The law is the law is the Law. What can I say. A law should be based on merit. Just because one person released it in the wild, does that mean it must be taken away from everyone? IMO, NO! what about the laws that should be in place, but arent.

I think there should be a law Outlawing Saltwater fish? Why? Because many of the species are all wild caught and I believe for every one that come into the LFS 15 died. Of the fish that survive the LFs and comes into the homes aquarium...how long are their lifespans? very short I believe. Also, in catching these fish, they destroy many of the coral reefs as well as "poison " the waters. Sure, this practice was supposed to have been stopped..but people still use it. If you want a MORAL law.. I vote for a law against saltwater fish. I will never have a saltwater tank for this reason. Its immoral and cruel. Unlike the snakeheads dilemna.

BTW, most people get into SW tanks for their "colors". Well, hey, I can put up a FW tank that would look just as nice. Check out RTR's tanks.

so... write your congressman and VOTE against Keeping saltwater fish!

 

[tyler]

sorry. i really don't know much about the fish. guess i just saw it as one of those "the face only a mother (or a fish geek ) could love. all i knew about them is what i read in those articles which were a bit (cough) biased against the fish.

 

[tyler]

and as far as jamison's proposal, i don't really know how i feel about that. i'd like to keep a sw tank some day, and not at all for the color. the particular fish i have in mind (pork puff) isn't very colorful at all besides their pretty blue eyes. i do agree that fish that are routinely unsuccessfull in aquariums should not be marketed, but i wouldn't go so far as outlawing sw. don't want to upset those reefer addicts...