paddlefish

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
I dont think its illegal to own one but it is illegal to fish for them, also they get big so make sure u have a big enough tank
 
Check the restricted species lists. Many states have made it illegal to keep native species in aquaria, and/or fish for them, and/or retain alive if illegally caught. Differs state to state.
 
Naturally occurring paddlefish have been extirpated (wiped out) in Wisconsin. The species is fully protected in that state and fishing for them, or possession of the species, is prohibited in WI.
 
Plus you would need a 50000 gallon tank to keep one in. They are like sharks, and never stop swiming. Plus they get to be like 7' long, and subsist on huge quantities of plankton. It would be very difficult to provide for one in captivity, probably just as hard as caring for a requiem shark.
 
A friend of mine was a biology proffesor in Missouri and had a colleague who did research on them. They were kept in a large pond, unfortunately when he retired the fish were destroyed.
 
Ya, another problem is that they really should be kept in round tanks, a lot of the time if you see them in square tanks they will rub their snout against the side of the tank and get abrasions on it.
 
I don't have a source but I was told they are threatened, endangered or extinct in all there natural ranges. I don't think they could be kept in anything less than a huge public aquarium. The care and feeding requirements are just to much for anything less.
 
Alot of the time you can get paddlefish from fish farm/cavier operations and they are pellet fed so this gets rid of the zooplankton requirements. A round or bowfront tank would be best due to damage to the rostrum. As long as you have a receipt from a fish farm its legal here in wisconsin to own one.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
MonsterFishKeepers.com
Top Bottom