Prohibited Species

[mewickham]

A Partial Listing of Aquatic Species Prohibited in Arkansas

If you know of any additions to this list, please post them here as a reply, with a source link to reference. Thank you!

Prohibited Captive Wildlife Species List
Source: https://apps.agfc.com/regulations/R1.03/

      Axolotl (Ambystoma mexicanum)
            Legal possession of these species is restricted
            to only those owned prior to May 16, 2024,
            that register the animal with the Commission by June 30, 2025.
      Newts, fire salamanders, etc. (Family Salamandridae)
            Issuance of Wildlife Importation Permits and Wildlife Breeder/Dealer
            Permits for these species is restricted to only those permittees
            permitted for these species prior to May 21, 2020.

Prohibited Exotic Aquatic Species List (Fish, Crustaceans, and Mollusks)
Source: https://apps.agfc.com/regulations/J1.04/
The source has a more complete list, but these species are more likely to show on aquarium fish lists:

FISH:
      Piranha Family (Serrasalmidae)
      Snakehead Family (Channidae)

CRUSTACEANS:
      Marbled crayfish (Procambarus virginalis)
      Everglades crayfish (Procambarus alleni)
      Redclaw crayfish Family (Cherax)
      Rusty crayfish (Orconectes rusticus)
      Smooth Marron (Cherax cainii)
      Yabby (Cherax destructor)

MOLLUSKS:
      Big-Ear radix snail (Radix auricularia)
      Channeled apple snail (Pomacea canaliculata)
      Chinese mystery snail (Cipangopaludina chinensis) AKA livebearing
            trapdoor snail, Japanese trapdoor snail, Chinese trapdoor snail.
            NOT the common mystery snail (Pomacea diffusa)
      Red-rim melania snail (Melanoides tuberculata) Known in the trade as the Malaysian needlepoint snail or Malaysian trumpet snail (MTS)

Source: https://apps.agfc.com/regulations/35.09/
Marine and tropical fish commonly distributed in the aquarium trade may be sold without special permit, as long as they are held only in closed systems and not otherwise prohibited. Any live release of these species is unlawful.

Source: https://www.dontletitloose.com/pet-regulations/arkansas/
Now, keep in mind, just because an animal is legal to own in the state, it doesn’t mean the city you live in allows it. Many local cities and counties have their own restrictions on which animals are legal to keep, and which are not. Consider checking with your local city and/or county for their regulations regarding what pets you can and can’t own. It is your responsibility to comply with all local laws, ordinances and covenants before importing or possessing live wildlife.