Are piranhas legal in Texas?
Invasive, Prohibited and Exotic Species
The organisms listed here are legally classified as exotic, harmful, or potentially harmful. No person may possess or place them into water of this state except as authorized by the department. Permits may be issued allowing individuals to possess, sell, import, export, transport or propagate listed species for zoological or research purposes; for aquaculture (allowed only for Blue, Nile, Mozambique, or Wami tilapia, Triploid Grass Carp, or Pacific White Shrimp); or for aquatic weed control (for example, Triploid Grass Carp in private ponds). Permit applications can be found on our website. For information about possession of tilapia for pond stocking or non-commercial aquaponics, contact the Permits Coordinator at Coordinator at IFpermits@tpwd.texas.gov or (512) 389-4444. The full text of the regulations can be found in the Texas Administrative Code.
Check our Quick Reference Guide* for illustrations that can help identify these organisms and distinguish them from other species that share similar characteristics.
* This document is an excerpt from the Guide to Identification of Harmful and Potentially Harmful Fishes, Shellfishes and Aquatic Plants Prohibited in Texas [PWD BK T3200-376 (1999).] The complete 370-page book is available as a PDF in our publications section. Note that the list of prohibited exotic species has changed since this guide was published and not all species are included and scientific classification has changed for others.
Fish
Piranhas, Family Characidae All species of genera Catoprion, Pristobrycon, Pygocentrus, Pygopristis, and Serrasalmus (closely related Dorados also prohibited; see above)
References
Invasive, Prohibited and Exotic SpeciesGuide to Identification of Harmful and Potentially Harmful Fishes
2022 RESTRICTED SPECIES PERMIT AMENDMENT REQUEST TEXAS Animal Laws by State
State by State List of Statutes - Prohibit Piranha - OPEFE.com