People are interested in different things I guess. But you got to look at if it was something you cared about like this guy cares about his fish. Maybe your dog or your favorite fishing lure.

It's hard to find a home for it for a couple reasons. One they are illegal in all states except Maryland (which is ironic because you remember the whole snakehead scare started in Crofton Pond Maryland a few years back). Since there is a federal ban on Channa, the fish can not be moved across state lines to a private individual in Maryland who can legally own the fish because Congress completely takes advantage of its "right" to regulate interstate commerce (I could go off for days on that right there in itself!!! GRRRR!!)

Second, Channa microlepis are nothing special from the stand point of a learning institution or zoo/aquarium. Chris probably payed less then $10 for this fish in 1999. in their native countries they are nothing more then a food fish though they are often kept as pets there too. Heck, like goldfish here, young channa microleips are sold as feeder fish in pet stores! Zoos and aquariums, especially in this economic crunch, dont have much money to apply for the permit needed to keep it plus build and maintain an aquarium for the animal.

Ive dealt with these fish before and though it not like a dog greeting you when you come in the door, they are very much a pet. They can tell you from a stranger and really interact with you (all of course over food but still). So I guess I can kind of see how after ten years Chris has grown attached to his pet and is fighting tooth and nail for it. Afterall, do you think if the government banned a furry pet there would be grandfather clause unlike this ban?