Hi,

A friend wants to keep a pirana, any ZAians here know if it is legal to keep them in RSA?

TIA

I have no idea and don't know if there is anyone here who could tell you. I live in the United States, in Georgia (southeastern US), where I am from, it is illegal because they could thrive in the local waters as it doesn't get cold enough to kill them in winter. In Tennessee (at least 10 yrs ago) and on northward, it is legal as they would not survive the cold. I would get in touch with the wildlife conservation department if you have one. These are the people who regulate fishing and hunting and what is ok to have legally. They don't want people getting tired of these "pets" and dumping them in to local waters where they could kill off native fish species and cause potential problems. I have read reports and heard of people catching them here in Indiana, (north,midwestern US) during the summer months but highly doubt they would live through the harsh winters. Good luck finding out and if they are legal, if you have plenty of space for them enjoy as they are quite interesting fish to keep. I had one, illegally, 10 yrs ago in Georgia and it was a nice fish to "show off" to all my friends!

That's the exact reason why i asked (introducing an alien). I don't have a pirana, I want a Malawi Peacock but my sadistic buddy wants a pirana so that he can watch it chomp goldfish.

Where I live there r no rivers only the ocean. But I'll email wildlife tomorrow and ask anyway - besides the rivers in ZA have crocs in them....hehe.

tell him that neons are related to pirana and paint his water flea orrange he will never know

Well u learn something nu every day...Neons...maybe if the lights r off and i squint real hard...

woods still soaking

heh good luck with the wood i think christmas it should be ready. as for the neons someone told me that on here i havent looked into it but i belive them.