weird catch

**lobsternoob** · 01-14-2009, 05:52 AM

I caught a small snakehead, i caught it in a local pond, someone must have released it there. I don't want to euthanize it, but i think that is my only option. I cannot legally release it back to where i caught it, i cannot legally keep it either, not that i have a big enough tank that i could keep it in anyway. I wouldn't feel too bad about killing it since it's an invasive species, but i don't really want to. I guess i'm gonna have no choice.

**Gemini** · 01-14-2009, 05:57 AM

Is there a zoo or aquarium that could take it? Otherwise yep euthanaise is the only option. It's hard but your doing the right thing by not releasing it or trying to keep it.

**Crispy** · 01-14-2009, 06:24 AM

trade it to a local fish store for supplies maybe ???

**Dave66** · 01-14-2009, 06:28 AM

They are highly illegal in the United States, including California, so he'd probably be reported to the police if he tried to trade it in at a pet store.
Lobsternoob, if you report your catch to your local game and fish commission plus the where and when, they will 'take care' of the fish for you.

Dave

**Crispy** · 01-14-2009, 06:34 AM

ohh.. I didn't know they were illegal there.. they couldn't survive our Canadian winters, although people do catch pacus and pirahna in the Detroit river every now and then...

**Dave66** · 01-14-2009, 06:38 AM

Originally Posted by Crispy

ohh.. I didn't know they were illegal there.. they couldn't survive our Canadian winters, although people do catch pacus and pirahna in the Detroit river every now and then...

LoL the list of fish and aquatic plants that are banned in the US is a mile long, and piranha are illegal in most all warmer states.

Dave

**Crispy** · 01-14-2009, 06:44 AM

Originally Posted by Dave66

LoL the list of fish and aquatic plants that are banned in the US is a mile long, and piranha are illegal in most all warmer states.

I guess it only makes sense... so no LFS sell snakeheads or piranha in most warmer states?? hmmm... they're everywhere here.. I think I heard the mississippi was invaded by snakeheads.

**lobsternoob** · 01-14-2009, 08:08 AM

I read a bit more about it and i felt it was my responsibility to euthanize the fish. I feel bad about it, but not as bad as i would feel if it took over my local waters, and destroyed the local ecosystem, which it would do given the chance. I also sent an email to my local fish and game warden and froze the corpse in case it is needed for positive ID. I really hope i do not have to do this again, but chances are if i caught a juvenile locally, there is not just one, and probably some adults also.

**Northernguy** · 01-14-2009, 01:07 PM

Yes Crispy It was the snakeheads but I am not sure where.It would not take long for them to do massive destruction.They kill for the fun of it and will not eat most of what they kill when they have a variety.
Its by far the worst and most unpredictable I have ever kept.
I listened to the kid at the lfs and I did not know any better.Even when I tried to bring them back they said no.I just left them there on the counter.
They did get put into their tanks.
There are a lot of fish out there that should not be sold.
Lobsternoob its the best thing you could have done.Tropical fish have no place in our waterways.

**KingFisher** · 01-14-2009, 01:35 PM

Originally Posted by lobsternoob

I read a bit more about it and i felt it was my responsibility to euthanize the fish. I feel bad about it, but not as bad as i would feel if it took over my local waters, and destroyed the local ecosystem, which it would do given the chance. I also sent an email to my local fish and game warden and froze the corpse in case it is needed for positive ID. I really hope i do not have to do this again, but chances are if i caught a juvenile locally, there is not just one, and probably some adults also.

You did the right thing. We hobbyists not only have a responsibility to our fish, but also to our environment. When aquarium fish are released into our waterways, they can reak havok to the system. Not only displacing and/or killing off our native species, but also potentially introducing diseases. I wish more people would act as responsible as you did in this situation.