Restricted + banned species, permits required, and regulatory contact. Updated May 2026.
Aquarium species legal.
West Virginia Division of Natural Resources
Official website: https://wvdnr.gov/
Always check the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources 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 West Virginia.
No, all Channa (snakehead) species are illegal in West Virginia.
Most common aquarium species do NOT require a permit in West Virginia. Aquarium species legal. Always check the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources website for the current restricted-species list before purchase.
The official source is the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources: https://wvdnr.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 West Virginia. 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 WV. 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.