Restricted + banned species, permits required, and regulatory contact. Updated May 2026.
Aquarium species legal.
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Official website: https://www.wildlife.state.nm.us/
Always check the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish 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 New Mexico.
No, all Channa (snakehead) species are illegal in New Mexico.
Most common aquarium species do NOT require a permit in New Mexico. Aquarium species legal. Always check the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish website for the current restricted-species list before purchase.
The official source is the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish: https://www.wildlife.state.nm.us/. 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 New Mexico. 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 NM. 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.