Mostly for Mike, but I didn't know if anyone else would be interested in the info.

It's been quite some time since I looked into any of this stuff, so call your local fish and wildlife office first and ask. They've always been pretty cool the few times I've needed to call em..

A little background in case you don't know:
CITES classifies endangered species under 3 categories..

Appendix I species are highly endangered and could be extinct if their trade is not severely restricted. Trade for primarily commercial purposes is prohibited; CITES permits are issued primarily for zoos and scientific research.

Appendix II species are threatened and their trade is regulated. Commercial trade is allowed with proper CITES permits.

Appendix III species are considered endangered in certain countries and specimens from these countries are protected under CITES. They can be internationally traded with a certificate of origin.

Asian Arowanas are under Appendix 1 protection

There are farms that are registered with CITES and are allowed to sell only captive bred, F2 and above arowana. Apparently all the certificates need to specify that the arowana that you purchased is captive bred F2 (or beyond). Also, the animals they sell are microchiped with passive integrated transponders. (Similar to what they use at the SPCA if you lose your cat) Only to confirm it is a farm raised animal.

From what I've been reading even the farms buy F2 brooders. Even they aren't allowed to have F1. Interestingly enough that's how at least one of the research groups was funding their Arowana program by selling the F2s.

Anyway, so even with all these breeding programs and it being legal to import them to Canada, they are still on the US Federal Endangered Species List. Which means you'd need permits. If there were someone or a company breeding them in the US currently, you would be able to get a much simpler CBW permit.

You will more than likely need the Fish and Wildlife permit application forms:
3-200-54 - Enhancement of Survival Permits
3-200-55 - Interstate Commerce Permits

Then you're going to need to find somewhere to get thne

3-200-54 is a $50 application, and a bajillion pages of information that need to be filled out.

Mike D: The Maine office: 1168 Main Street, Old Town, ME 04468 - 207-827-5938[b]

Wow so you can get an asian aro in the US if you have permits??

Looks like only if you are a zoo or a scientist.

So Hypothetically if I thought that I could breed them and try to help introduce them back into the wild I would be more than likely to get one of these permit than if I said I just wanted the fish as a pet.

If you say you want it as a pet, pretty much expect epic fail.

Since these are farm raised, you may even have an easier time getting permits, if you explain the whole situation with breeding farms in Singapore and those countries. I imagine the big thing if you do want to import them is that you'll be expected to breed them. I'm not sure exactly, since I deal with the random. Everything I've dealt with so far is customs busts and stuff along those lines so I've never attempted to bring in healthy cites animals.

Also the cost you're looking at is going to be insane. Panda Aquatics (The best reviewed Aro farm that I saw looking at reviews online) requires a minimum order of 12. 12 reds at at least $750 a pop.

Personally, I like the greens looks of the greens, and have thought a few times if I had the room those would be one of the endangered fish I'd like to work with. That being said, (and I'm not trying to change anyone's mind if your heart is set on an asian) I'm actually starting to prefer the silvers more. From the videos I've seen online, my silver here is way more active that what I've seen of any of the asian ones. I don't know if that's normally the case, since I haven't seen an asian in person though.

I made out easy since I had already had a lot of experience with torts. If your serious about this, maybe get yourself some silvers, and start working with them or if your still in an apartment, figure out something to house just one silver. See how you feel about them and how much you like them. Make your self an expert, read everything you can. Take notes and all that stuff.

Make all your mistakes with the easily replaced ones before going after the hard to get. Or find out the cheap way that you don't like taking care of them, or the upkeep is too expensive.

Some great Info I think I might sticky this one for future reference.

can you suggest a place to start reading?