fearlessfisch
Aquarium Advice FINatic
I can empathize with both sides of this argument. I personally don't want to think or know that my fish were wild-caught. I know it is anthropomorphizing, but I would always imagine them pining away for their days of freedom. Maybe I shouldn't have watched "Finding Nemo." I would rather believe they were captive-bred and I am giving them the best possible option under those circumstances. I can even argue logically and believe logically that in many cases an aquarium home will certainly meet their needs. It is just an emotional reaction that I can't adjust.
And I understand the emotion when you think people are making the wrong decisions for their fish. I admire people here who work in fish stores and try hard to educate people about caring for fish before they buy them. I couldn't do it, because I would know that many will never listen anyway, and the fish are headed for certain doom. I got a catalog today with another betta death row prison for sale, about the size of a Christmas ornament ball, to hang in your kid's room. People buy them. It goes on all the time.
I know logically that fish brains aren't like human brains. I believe it is possible to keep them humanely and so that they will be content--whatever content for fish equals. And I have to give major points to anyone who cares enough to come to a website like this to ask questions about what to do with the wild fish they are adopting.
Anyway, just rambling. Threads like this are why I like AA so much. People here really do care about fish, even when they disagree.
And I understand the emotion when you think people are making the wrong decisions for their fish. I admire people here who work in fish stores and try hard to educate people about caring for fish before they buy them. I couldn't do it, because I would know that many will never listen anyway, and the fish are headed for certain doom. I got a catalog today with another betta death row prison for sale, about the size of a Christmas ornament ball, to hang in your kid's room. People buy them. It goes on all the time.
I know logically that fish brains aren't like human brains. I believe it is possible to keep them humanely and so that they will be content--whatever content for fish equals. And I have to give major points to anyone who cares enough to come to a website like this to ask questions about what to do with the wild fish they are adopting.
Anyway, just rambling. Threads like this are why I like AA so much. People here really do care about fish, even when they disagree.