Probe into sellers of Amazonian giant fish

Carnivorous fish can inflict nasty bites; threaten ecology and wildlife in reservoirs
Hong Xinyi, Straits Times 14 Jul 08;

SIX aquariums recently caught trying to sell an Amazonian giant fish are being investigated, said the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA).

The carnivorous arapaima, which can grow to 4m long and weigh 200kg, is not allowed for sale here because it can inflict a nasty bite and could become a serious menace if released into reservoirs.
Enforcement action is being taken against these shops, said the AVA. If convicted, the shop owners can be fined up to $5,000.

While arapaimas cannot be sold here, enthusiasts can import them for private collections, provided pet owners get the fish microchipped so the authorities can keep track of them.

Owners must also prove to the AVA that they have ponds large enough to house these giants - one of the world's largest fresh-water fish.

Fish-store owner Benjamin Wee said this breed, which costs between $150 and $6,000, depending on size, is a favourite of rich businessmen.

He knows of several who keep them in man-made ponds within their bungalow compounds. 'They like big fish the way they like big cars,' he said.

At Sheng Hong Temple in Pandan Gardens, arapaimas have been kept in a fenced courtyard pond for a decade.

Said temple chairman Soo Poh Cheng: 'We started rearing them because they look very elegant.'

Fish farms here rear arapaimas for export, since they are not allowed to distribute them to pet shops here.

At Mainland Fish Farm in Pasir Ris, the majestic fish with brilliant orange markings have been reared for more than 20 years, but they are only for display purposes, said owner Desmond Yeoh.

They are fed deformed fish that cannot be sold. Bags of frozen fish are also sold to visitors so they can feed the arapaimas.

The creatures are also popular attractions at Sentosa's Underwater World and the Singapore Zoo. A reader, writing on The Straits Times' interactive website Stomp, expressed concern about pet owners who said they were rearing these freshwater fish in small tanks.

When they get too big to handle, the worry is that irresponsible owners who can no longer care for a massive, expensive pet will release them in local waters, where they could pose a serious threat to ecology and wildlife.

National water agency PUB said arapaimas have not been seen in reservoirs here so far, but experts have warned that dangerous aliens in local waters could include stingrays and electric eels.

Restrictions

Banned for sale at local pet shops:

# Any venomous fish, such as the marine cat fish, lion fish and stone fish.

# Fish with spines, other sharp appendages or teeth that can cause injury, such as the scorpion fish, piranha and moray eel.

# Fish that have a large territorial range in their natural habitat, such as sharks, dogfish and stingrays.

Fish that need to be microchipped:

# Arapaimas and dragon fish (arowana) as shown below.