U.S. prosecutors charged an Arizona man with illegally possessing 26 live Asian Arowana, a type of endangered fish, also known as the Asian bonytongue.
On Dec. 20, prosecutors filed charges in Phoenix’s federal court against Sophon Heng.
According to court documents, Heng reportedly knew the fish had been illegally traded, which violates U.S. laws designed to protect endangered species. Heng was in possession of the fish in September 2018, court documents say.
The case falls under the Endangered Species Act, which prohibits trafficking in protected wildlife.
The fish has been classified as endangered since June 14, 1976, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Heng’s attorney did not immediately respond to request for comment.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Arizona man faces federal charges for possession of endangered Asian arowana fish