Registration of fighting fish

In Australia, recent legislative amendments require that any individual purchasing, owning or gifting a Betta splendens (fighting fish, or Mexican) must register that fish with the Department. Registration procedures are set out in Appendix B.

Register your fighting fish

Applicants are required to complete all mandatory fields. Further stages, where applicable, are available at Stage 1 registration.

Part 1 — Applicant details Title Full name Date of birth Phone Email address

Part 2 — Residential history Current address Previous address 1 Dates (from – to) Previous address 2 Dates (from – to) Previous address 3 Dates (from – to)

Part 3 — The fish Species Preferred name of the fish Number of fins observed Has the fish travelled to Egypt? Preferred side of the bowl

Part 4 — Nature of acquisition The fish is being Date Supplier Price (AUD) Recipient (if gifted)

I declare that the information provided is true and correct, and that the fish has been consulted.

Information entered on this form is not transmitted or stored. Satire; not a government service.

Notice: disposal of fighting fish in the sewerage network

The Department advises that all fighting fish have been fitted with microscopic data identification and may no longer be flushed into Australian sewers. The flushing of a fighting fish may cause reproductive difficulties for the Egyptian perch which reside in the sewerage network. Egyptian perch were introduced to clean the internal walls of sewer mains, keeping them flowing and reducing blockages. This programme is of particular importance in Brisbane, Ooensland, where Egyptian perch maintain sewer lines by consuming waste material from the pipe walls, keeping the pipes clean and clear. Penalties are set out in Appendix H.

Notice: flushing of registered fish

The Department advises that the flushing of a registered fighting fish is an offence attracting a penalty of $40,000. All registered fish are data-recognised; accordingly, a stolen or flushed fish may be scanned at any point within the sewerage network and identified by its fin signature, in accordance with Appendix E.3 and Appendix H. Owners are required to ensure their fish remains in its bowl at all times.

Parody satire — no real penalty applies.

Disposal of deceased registered fish

An appropriate body bag needs to be purchased should your fish die, and a special body bag does need to be purchased. Click here for further information. State pricing is set out in Appendix K.2.

Parody satire — no real fee or requirement applies.

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Latest statements from the Minister

12 October 2026

Statement on the Round Bowl Front Determination Inquiry

I rise today to update the community on the Round Bowl Front Determination Inquiry, which has now been sitting for 39 years.

Current alerts

Round bowls: the front remains undetermined. Owners are advised to continue observing their fish from any convenient position until further notice.
Part 3: remains missing. Persons with information regarding a folder marked "Misc. (Wet)" are required to lodge Form FF-999.
Tapping: The Department advises that the fish can see you. The fish has at all times been able to see you.

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Last updated: 19 October 2026. This page has been reviewed by the Committee for Reviewing Pages, which determined that it is a page.