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.

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STATE

STATUTE

WORDING SPECIES PROHIBITED 

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

DNR regulations, Article VII, #012, subsection C, possession

Permits required as aquarium pets

Piranha: Including members of the genera Serrasalmus and Pygocentrus

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.

SOUTH CAROLINA

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

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

22.

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.

23.

UTAH

Title 16, Chapter 16-100

Piranha

24.

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.

25.

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

INCOMPLETE LISTING OF LOCAL ORDINANCES PROHIBITING

CITY

STATE

ORDINANCE

POSITION

FINE/PUNISHMENT

Henrietta

New York

Housing Operations - Finance & Administration

No pets or animals are allowed in residence halls. Fish, except for piranha and oscars, are allowed.

Expulsion from building

Sterling Heights

Michigan

Chapter 8 Animal Regulatory Ordinance - Ord. No. 215- A, 12-19-89, mended Ch. 6 (recodified in the 1992 Code as Chapter 8) to read herein set out. Chapter 6 formerly contained similar provisions and was derived from Ord. No. 215, 1, adopted Feb. 25, 1980.

8-13. (a);(7) It shall be unlawful for a person to possess, breed, buy or sell, exchange, or attempt to harbor the following exotic or wild animals: piranha fish

8-76. Penalties. Any person who violates this chapter is guilty of a misdemeanor, punishable by imprisonment in the county jail for a term not to exceed ninety (90) days or a fine not to exceed five hundred dollars ($500.00) or both, in the descretion of the court. (1978 Code 6-76; Ord. No. 215-A, 6, 12-19-89.

Taos

New Mexico

County Ord. 1991-2- Article I, 8-2, Article 7, 7-1B.

(10) Venomous fish and piranha

Article 12, E.

First offense (in a calendar year): $50

Second offense (in a calendar year): $150

Third offense (in a calendar year: $300

In addition to the above stated fines, a court of competent jurisdiction may also impose incarceration of up to ninety (90) days for any violation set forth in paragraph E.

Orem

Utah

Ord. No. 661, Revised, 04/10/90; Ord. No. 0-92-007, Amended, 05/05/02

Chap. 5 Animal Contro, 5-1,5-1-1 V (10)

Venomous fish and piranha

5-1-13. Violation.

Any person violating any provisions of this Chapter, shall be subject to a fine in an amount not to exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000.00) or imprisonment for a period not to exceed six (6) months, or by such fine and imprisonment. Each day a violation is committed or permitted to continue shall constitute a separate offense and shall be punishable as such (Ord. No. 661, Revised, 04/10/90).

Van Buren

Arkansas

Title 6 ANIMALS AND FOWL; Chapter 6.08

6.08.07(d) venomous fish and piranha

no data

Cibola (County)

New Mexico

Ord. 01-01 and NMSA 1978, §4-3 7- 1

Sec. II EE (10) venomous fish and piranha

Section III (A)(1) Each violation of any provision of this Ordinance shall constitute a misdemeanor, and upon conviction thereof the offender shall be punished by a fine not exceeding $300.00 and/or imprisonment for a period not exceeding ninety (90) days. In addition to the foregoing penalties, the offender may be required to attend animal training or care school.

Lewiston

Maine

Chapter 14, 

Sec. 14-1 (b)(2)

Piranha

Any person violating any provision of this chapter shall pay a fine of no less than one hundred and fifty dollars ($150.00), unless othewise specified in this ordinance, for each of the first and second violation. The minimum penality for any subsequent violation of this ordinance shall be five hundred dollars ($500.00), unless otherwised specified in this ordinance, for each offense.

Massillon

Ohio

Chapter 505, 505.14 (c)(23)

Piranha fish (Characidae)

(g) Whoever violates any of the provisions of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the fourth degree for the first offense with an enhancement to a misdemeanor of the third degree for any subsequent offenses. A separate offense should be as deemed committed for each day during or where a violation occurs or continues.
(Ord. 187-1997. Passed 10-20-97.)

Lakewood 

Ohio

Chapter 505, 505.18(22)(b)

Piranha fish (Characidae)

(f)  Whoever violates any of the provisions of this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor. A separate offense shall be as deemed committed for each day during or on which a violation occurs or continues. (Ord. 22-85. Passed 5-20-85.)

Colorado

Chapter 0 General Provisions Article III #008 Prohibited Species 6-10-2002

Piranha, including member of the genera Serrasalmus, Rooseveltiella and Pygocentrus.

Proof of ownership required before 1978 for possession with approval from State Fish and Wildlife.

Cowlitz

WA

Chap. 6-10 Title 6, 6.12.030

Piranha

Fine varies from $100-$250 and imprisonment.

Australia  

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Germany

Indonesia

Mainland China

Mexico

Malaysia

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Philippines

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Thailand

Vietnam