I’ve seen some very healthy fish in captivity, but I’d agree if you suggested that one kinda needs to be a pro to even come close to an environment that is not toxic to a fish.
In rare, very rare cases, captive breeding has stabilized a fish species that was previously at dire risk of extinction from over-fishing. It’s rare, and your general rule still stands, but it’s good to leave a little space for the very occasional good news about that.
Yeah, I know there are exceptions, and the fact that we know fishes can be abused mean we know what they need. But since the overwhelming majority of people don’t give a shit about fishes, the majority of captive fishes will be abused.
It’s a bit like hamsters: sure, some people give them the huge cages that they need, proper burrowing places, food, etc. But most people buy them from shitty pet stores for cheap to give to their kids as a disposable pet, put in a horrifyingly tiny plastic cage with nothing to do, often with other hamsters that will attack each other.
So yeah, it’s good to also encourage good news about fishes being treated well, but I feel like the bigger priority is reducing abuse, so that’s why that’s what I’m focusing on.
I’ve seen some very healthy fish in captivity, but I’d agree if you suggested that one kinda needs to be a pro to even come close to an environment that is not toxic to a fish.
In rare, very rare cases, captive breeding has stabilized a fish species that was previously at dire risk of extinction from over-fishing. It’s rare, and your general rule still stands, but it’s good to leave a little space for the very occasional good news about that.
Yeah, I know there are exceptions, and the fact that we know fishes can be abused mean we know what they need. But since the overwhelming majority of people don’t give a shit about fishes, the majority of captive fishes will be abused.
It’s a bit like hamsters: sure, some people give them the huge cages that they need, proper burrowing places, food, etc. But most people buy them from shitty pet stores for cheap to give to their kids as a disposable pet, put in a horrifyingly tiny plastic cage with nothing to do, often with other hamsters that will attack each other.
So yeah, it’s good to also encourage good news about fishes being treated well, but I feel like the bigger priority is reducing abuse, so that’s why that’s what I’m focusing on.