Prohibited in Texas Fish, Shellfish, and Plants

[AndrewH]

It is illegal to have freshwater stingrays in Texas, FYI...

http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/huntwild/wild/species/exotic/

Further down is the list of shellfish and plants.

[biggin]

Huh? I know a few shops sell them.... is it a specific type? In fact I know one shop the owners wife was stung 2 weeks ago….

Also I am pretty sure I have read that the "fresh water" rays are not really fresh water but are like many of the "fresh water" fish that are spawned in fresh water and move to salt as they get older.

A variety of puffers and the freshwater flounder are 2 examples. Both will do fine for a while but die after a year or two. Basically they will just not be healthy or reach the maturity they would normally.


It is illegal to have sting rays in Texas, FYI...

[AndrewH]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Potamotrygonidae

Here you go.

And specifically the spotted stingray, ocellate river stingray (Potamotrygon motoro), (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ocellate_river_stingray), which is under the family Potamotrygonidae (and all Potamotrygonidae's are illegal).

[biggin]

I stand corrected... I am not sure what I read a while back...

[AndrewH]

And here's (http://www.aquariumfish.net/catalog_pages/wild/sting_rays.htm) another good read about 'em.

They are true freshwater fish and are realitively easy to keep, which is why they're prohibited in Texas. If someone let them go in a local lake, they'd take over and breed like crazy.

[biggin]

Yup, I read that one a few minutes ago. Seems like a cool fish....

And here's (http://www.aquariumfish.net/catalog_pages/wild/sting_rays.htm) another good read about 'em.

They are true freshwater fish and are realitively easy to keep, which is why they're prohibited in Texas. If someone let them go in a local lake, they'd take over and breed like crazy.

[somefishguy]

Someone trying to go to jail.

[fatfutures]

Someone trying to go to jail.

Apparently that's me... they have crayfish on that list.

[EAST_TX_RN]

Those are the southern hemisphere type mud-bugs, Michelle.

[AndrewH]

Apparently that's me... they have crayfish on that list.

Yeah, one of the LFS in my area has several plants on that list :eek:. I started to say something to them, but decided they might just have the "common name" wrong (water lettuce) and it actually be a legal plant.

[FishGurl721]

holy moley thats a big list, and I'm pretty sure I've seen some of those at an lfs too. hmm that sucks, a stingray would be awesome

[FishGurl721]

p.s
I've seen tiretrack eels at DNA are those not "real" eels?

[AndrewH]

The only reason I know stingrays are illegal is because I wanted to keep them. They're easy and eat about like a puffer (shrimp).

Here (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anguillidae) is a link to the eels Texas has ban (listed at the bottom). The Tire Track Eel (a.k.a. spiny eels) (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tire_track_eel) are of a different Phylum and are legal in Texas.

Basically it comes down to, any non-native species that would thrive here (live through our winters) and win out over a native species is on the prohibited list. I saw a show about a river in Colorado where this has happened and they can't seem to get it back to normal (native fish in, non-native fish out).

[FishGurl721]

yeah it makes sense, dontcha hate it when irresposible people ruin it for the ones who would never do such a thing..? I know it chaps my booty thats for sure..:mad0217:

[biggin]

There are many examples of this....snakehead fish various carps.... there are a few videos of people on the Mississippi getting hit in the face by flying carp.... does not sound to bad except they weight 30lbs....real bad thing is the state introduced them to the ecosystem....

[bra8ndy8]

We have a little pond here in Sherman.....and everytime someone fishes there your more than likely going to catch a Oscar!! It's sad!!

[AndrewH]

yeah it makes sense, dontcha hate it when irresposible people ruin it for the ones who would never do such a thing..? I know it chaps my booty thats for sure..:mad0217:

:( Well I thought it wasn't totally ruined. On that first link I posted, at the very top it list a name and phone number regarding a permit to house the fish, shellfish, or plants on the list. I just called and talked to the person listed regarding me obtaining a permit for freshwater stingrays. He informed me that the permits are only available to zoos or such places. So as far as the Texas Parks and Wildlife is concerned, there is no way for an individual to legally keep anything on that list.

P.S. I'm going to move all of the "discussion" in this thread to a new topic which is appropriately titled and the old thread will be locked due to it's illegal nature (which I realize is unintentional).

[bra8ndy8]

You lost me for a sec when you moved it....but I am back on track now!!! LOL

[AndrewH]

:D figured it'd get more traffic if it wasn't in the for sale section ;)

[AndrewH]

We have a little pond here in Sherman.....and everytime someone fishes there your more than likely going to catch a Oscar!! It's sad!!

That is very sad! Do the Oscars make it through the winter without dying?

[bra8ndy8]

Yeah I guess soo!! They have pulled some pretty large ones out of there!!

[biggin]

It depends on how deep it is I think.

I know there is a little park where I grew up there are a few that make it there. I used to see them all the time and I knew a guy who would "relocate" (I can call it that right? I mean "Adoption" is selling) them to the pond once they got too big for his tank. Maybe there are enough people releasing them that year after year more would be there, but in my little town I can not imagine there are that many people releasing them.

[bra8ndy8]

There are tons here!! It's a joke around the town asking what you caught there! It's a pretty deep and large man made pond....so I guess they make it? I'm not sure, but I would assume so....cause I wouldn't think there are that many people releasing them in a yrs time.

[fishwithteethlover]

FYI
any illegal fish can be purchased if interested.(I know of a large supplier that will ship to Texas) Just don't get caught:burned:

FYI the purchase is also illegal

[sap]

yea you can get anything these days, i knew a guy that kept rhinoceros vipers at his house, try explaining that snake bite at the emergency room.

[EAST_TX_RN]

Er, I kind of did an irresponsible thing when I was young....I had a pet caiman(South American Crocodile) that grew too large and I released it in what used to be my grandfather's spring-fed tank in Aubrey. Well, about 2-3 years later, a couple who owned the tank came up to my brother to show him what they had just shot in their tank. It was my pet, Shoes! He was about 5 ft. long my brother said! I know, I know, it was so stupid of me! The worst thing was he could have hurt somebody! I am as bad as those people in Florida who let their pet pythons loose in the swamp!

[sap]

my buddy uses to work at shirley's pets in arlington in the mid 90's he used to tell me about ppl that would come in with huge pleco's , pacu's etc and just want to get rid of them, but he didnt have the room for them so he would send them to lake arlington for dumping.

[AndrewH]

FYI
any illegal fish can be purchased if interested.(I know of a large supplier that will ship to Texas) Just don't get caught:burned:

FYI the purchase is also illegal

And if I remember correctly, it's a fine per violation (per illegal fish and the purchase of that fish. So if you bought 10, that'd be a fine x 20 :D)

Er, I kind of did an irresponsible thing when I was young....I had a pet caiman(South American Crocodile) that grew too large and I released it in what used to be my grandfather's spring-fed tank in Aubrey. Well, about 2-3 years later, a couple who owned the tank came up to my brother to show him what they had just shot in their tank. It was my pet, Shoes! He was about 5 ft. long my brother said! I know, I know, it was so stupid of me! The worst thing was he could have hurt somebody! I am as bad as those people in Florida who let their pet pythons loose in the swamp!

WOW, where the heck did you get it in the first place?

my buddy uses to work at shirley's pets in arlington in the mid 90's he used to tell me about ppl that would come in with huge pleco's , pacu's etc and just want to get rid of them, but he didnt have the room for them so he would send them to lake arlington for dumping.

I can see the pleco maybe making it, but I wouldn't think the Pacu could survive the winiters. I guess if it comes down to survival I'd be surprised what some fish will live through (as in biggin's baby plecos he found :eek:)

[sap]

1/2 of lake arlington stays at 75 degrees year round due to the handley power plant.

[EAST_TX_RN]

Andrew: I bought my caiman at a local pet shop back in the 1970's. He was fairly tame, as tame as a crocodile can be. I had a big tank back then for him, and fed him live goldfish. When he got too big, I called area zoos and they refused to take him. There weren't any 'rescues' back then that I knew of. I should have checked this out before I bought him but I was young and dumb(er). I could not stand the idea of killing 'Shoes', so I thought he deserved some freedom. At the time, the tank,which used to be owned by my grandfather, was owned by an absentee property owner. I actually didn't think he would survive the winter, but he did. Live and learn.

[flamenco-t]

Freshwater stingray from the amazon are originated from the pacific ocean, during the development of the andes mountain range, some of this stingray were "trapped" behind the mountain and developed tolerance for freshwater by losing their salt glands. They can not be converted back to saltwater, even aquarium salt are bad for them. They are not the same although they share similar physical attributes.

The problem is a lot of people buy them becauset they're "Cute" and not realizing that a 55 gallon tank is too small. Most common species such as motoro can grow from 5" disk to 18" disk in less than 2 years, this isn't counting the tail section. 36" wide tank is a must for them as well as 8 ft length.

So what to these idiots do ? release them into the wild and screw up the eco system.

I have euthanize a fish before because I can't give them away and was causing problems in my tank and I couldn't afford to setup a 300 gallon tank for him. After 6 months of trying to find a home and a solutions, I euthanized him. It sounded cruel, but iMO it's the most responsible thing to do. I took him from another person who was unable to provide a good home for him.

Back to the topic,

Atlantic Freshwater stingray are legal in texas, they're mostly found in florida near brackish, but towards the freshwater region.

stan

PS: it's only illegal until you get caught right :) JK

[flamenco-t]

BTW, Texas are a bitch when it comes to restricted species.

The game warden will take any tips from anyone and pursue it. It's illegal to own, buy, purchase and transport.

stan

[drag13honda]

FYI
any illegal fish can be purchased if interested.(I know of a large supplier that will ship to Texas) Just don't get caught:burned:

FYI the purchase is also illegal

Where? :looking:

[bra8ndy8]

In illegal land!
Posted via Mobile Device

[drag13honda]

that was meant as where can they be purchased? he knows a place. :cool:

[northtexasfossilguy]

I would say we would all, as a community, be better off enforcing our own restrictions with what we can and cannot own. I think personally that education is the right way to go about it, and I certainly will restrain myself from ever buying or having to buy permits to have fish, considering the monstrous costs (sometimes $500 per request and that is without guaranteed approval) and essentially that you would be flagging yourself and your friends forever. It's a damn communist thing to be doing this, although for the right reasons.

..and I believe that we are all smart enough to not release things.

Nobody expects the Spanish Inquisition!

[drag13honda]

Does anybody have more specific details on who to speak with about these permits? I've contacted parks and wildlife and they told me i could not get a permit. But i hear all these people talking about these permits, it makes me think they can be obtained somehow.

[Austin]

You can't as an individual. Only institutions are granted permits. I wouldn't pursue it to to far, that raises red flags. This was said prior I believe.

[iron]

Florida is flooded with wild burmese pythons. I have seen people fish Oscars out of the lakes and rivers. People are really stupid for letting these animals loose in the wild. They make me sick. I seen a family dog tossed out the van. The van spins out and races down the road. The dog gives chase as fast as he can to try to go home. Giving up he returned to where he was tossed out in hopes that the people would come back for him. They of course never come back. He is now abandoned, homeless, and lost.
Pets like that dog, get tossed out all the time. They pack up and go on wild killing sprees to gain food.
Its all according to whats the easiest, no longer whats best to do. Responsibilities are for everyone else. Do what you want and if someone disagrees with you, belittle them as an idiot.
In my eyes, that makes you a bigger animal than your helpless pet.

[FlamandalayBay]

You are SO right! I feel the same way and oh man you don't wanna get me started. I mean look how much page I covered in my intro...you think that's bad? don't let me get on my soapbox about something especially involving animals...

[lrw46]

An interesting side note. When Eagle Mountain Lake was built,the corp. of Army Engineers could not find native fish to stock it so it was stocked with Oscars. Later on they were able to add to the stock with large mouth and small mouth bass, etc. The oscars coud not compete with the native fish so they died out.
The stocking of some other ponds in the area may also be the fault of the Corp. also.

[robert321]

This is really interesting, I hadn't seen this list before. I was talking to the LFS owner and he remarked a while ago that the freshwater rays were illegal, but I talked to the local game warden (small town) and he told me that you can't keep fish wild caught on public water regardless of size in a tank (I still have a small longnose gar though)
I wonder if the marmorkrebs are in the genus that is illegal. I do know they worry about them overrunning local populations.

[AndrewH]

Been a while since I've talked to a warden. I wouldn't be surprised if the laws/regulations haven't changed.
Posted via Mobile Device

[robert321]

I would be very careful with keeping illegal stock, I know that one of the fines for keeping undersized or illegal fish while fishing, is you pay what it "will cost the state to replace that fish" in addition to the set fines, not sure if they have something like that in the keeping illegal stock laws, that type thing could get really steep.
I know that the LFS will put the "ugly fish" that are brought in into a local pond, its a public pond so I'm tempted to this summer go castnetting and seining to see just what all is in there.
Is the pond in Sherman with oscars a public pond that fishing is allowed? I'd really like to catch an oscar, I've read about people doing it in florida where they've gotten loose and they swear it's more fun to fish for than bass

[BC1976]

Seen a lot of comments about the python problems in Florida and while I agree it is a problem. Many Biologists have traced the culprit back to the Petstores that got leveled or flooded in one of the major hurricanes years back.

When I was a kid growing up in Mass my friend was learning how to use his fathers back hoe. We dug a large ditch that we hoped would catch run off and rain water to play hockey on in the winter. It worked and stayed pretty full for most of the summer. I had a small tank with Texas Cichlids in it and I was forced to dismantle it. (Thanks Mom) So I let the cichlids go in the pond in June. Long story short they lived in this pond for 2 years! I played hockey on that pond each winter the water temp had to be close to freezing because it wasn't very deep and it would almost freeze solid each year. The pond was filled in when the land was sold. But fish are very resilent, outside of the most tropical of species I can see them surviving in TX with ease.

[arowana29]

Albino Tiger Oscar caught at Bachman Creek

http://texasfishingforum.com/forums/ubbthreads.php/topics/5249108/Anybody_Got_A_Clue#Post5249108

I have seen a few fisherman catching freshwater stingrays at Joe Pool.

[pillierox1]

the only permit that is easily abotain is to own a large species of avians. hawks, eagle u name it. but u hav to study and take a test to get ur permit which will take 2 yrs. but after u get ur permit. iu will mbe able to get an older bird to teach u how to care and feed the bird, once u hav succeed in that u will hav ur own chick of any species u want.

[BC1976]

That Oscar actually looked better than most tank specimens.

[Austin]

I have seen a few fisherman catching freshwater stingrays at Joe Pool.

I call complete BS without pics. At very least the temp swings WAY too much for a ray habitat. Not too mention many other factors.