Is owning a dog or cat ethical?
I think you are on the right track but needs to be refined. Is keeping a domesticated animal, such as a large breed dog, one that was man made to be a hunter, in a small apartment ethical? Walking the dog, no matter for how long, will not replace the dog running after prey. yet people still do it.
Does that apply in the same vein since they have been domesticated from wild ancestors. Fish haven't been domesticated, per se. Not arguing, just curious as to your opinion.
Either way, I would say so long as the fish are given ample room and a healthy environment, that it is ethical.
There is a bit of a fine line here. By showcasing fish, we can raise awareness about endangered species and habitats for those species. However, those same species might not do well in captivity no matter how similar of a natural habitat is provided.
Just as with any animal, do no harm and be responsible, I believe to be a well tolerated mantra.
? Diana Lee ?
? the St. Augustine Redhead ?
Florida Orchid Endler's | Documented Class N Orchid Endler's Livebearer Fish
Actually, some fish HAVE been domesticated. The Betta is one. It's original domestication was for fighting and gambling on those fights. Dates back a couple hundred years. But I get your point.
Here's part of the problem with your post, most of the fish in today's hobby are not wild but man made recreations & in my eyes, some are abominations, that do not exist in the wild. So how does displaying them help the environment or create awareness for the cause? It could be said that "Who needs wild fish when we can just create our own fish from what has already been caught? ( For example, Parrot cichlids and Flowerhorns.) " This mentality gives the impression that we can do without wild fish so develop their land.
I think "ethical" is not defined enough when it comes to pet keeping in general. I think it's best determined by the hobbyist, Does he or she strive for the best possible environment to meet the "normal" needs of a specie and not just treat the animal as a throw away pet. It's really about pets more than just fish. As in my example above, people make and keep pets to ease the pains of our daily lives or to have as company but don;t necessarily keep the pet properly. But since it's a larger animal that can fend for itself, somewhat, when we are not there, the "Ethical" question doesn't get brought up. Getting back to Dogs, new breeds are being created, almost daily, based on how we humans are living. The TOY breeds came about when more city people couldn't have pets over a certain weight so BOOM, toy dogs breeds were created so that they could stay in apartments and not have huge demands on their owners for their "natural" needs. ( Hence how wee wee pads and poop blankets came into being.
) Here's the problem tho, these breeds inherited or were created with many health issues. So, was it "ethical" to create the breeds or keep them around still? In a recent program I watched, I believe the numbers were that 75% of the dog species around today, didn't exist 25 years ago. Where's the Ethics in that?
But, back to fish.... Since man HAS made so many variations to the wild stock, that so many of the fish don;t even resemble the wild stock, I think it only becomes unethical to keep a larger fish in a smaller tank for the course of it's lifetime. Fulfill the needs of the specie and then there is no need to question the "ethics" of fish keeping.
AT least THAT'S my opinion.
