Restricted + banned species, permits required, and regulatory contact. Updated May 2026.
Aquarium species permitted.
DC Department of Energy and Environment
Official website: https://doee.dc.gov/
Always check the DC Department of Energy and Environment restricted-species list before any aquarium livestock purchase. Lists update regularly and federal Lacey Act listings apply on top of state rules.
No, piranhas are prohibited in District of Columbia.
No, all Channa (snakehead) species are illegal in District of Columbia.
Most common aquarium species do NOT require a permit in District of Columbia. Aquarium species permitted. Always check the DC Department of Energy and Environment website for the current restricted-species list before purchase.
The official source is the DC Department of Energy and Environment: https://doee.dc.gov/. State lists update regularly - check before any purchase.
Yes, most aquarium species ship freely between states. Restricted species (snakeheads, piranhas where banned) cannot ship into District of Columbia. Vetted Fast Aquatics vendors filter to your state automatically.
Fast Aquatics vendors filter inventory automatically by your shipping state - you'll only see species legal to ship to DC. Browse saltwater, freshwater, coral, or aquatic plants with carrier-tracked Buyer Protection on every order.
Browse the full state legality matrix covering all 50 US states + DC.