Question about fish....

This was brought up on the parenting board, and I'm just curious what the reactions would be over here....

Would you disregard the life of a goldfish simply because it's a little fish that can also be used to feed another fish? Ot, if you had one, would you treat it as any other pet?

Re: Question about fish....

Treat it like another pet.

I have a frog that is 10 years old and while I get delinquent about changing her tank, I love her to pieces and talk to her allll the time and make sure her frog friends are put back in their spots so she can see them through her tank. She's still a living creature in my home. She may be the size of a dog's eye, but that doesn't make her any less of a pet. Granted, her needs are not those of a hamster and a hamster's needs are not those of a dog, but a pet is a pet is a pet.

Re: Question about fish....

As any other pet! You can use a mouse (or any small rodent for that matter) to feed a snake too, so I wouldn't even consider that in my argument.

Re: Question about fish....

treat is as any other pet

Re: Question about fish....

its still a pet

Re: Question about fish....

Interesting question, because I was faced with this years ago.

I had a Ryukin Fantail Goldfish obsession years ago. I had them in a 30 gallon tank, bubblers, two filters, water pH testers, the works.

I learned that they can recognize people and they would come over to greet me each morning:



That's Jaz, Flash and Shelby.




Jaz and Flash saying hi to me.

One of their favorite things to eat was broccoli, if you can believe it.

One day, I went to Petco to pick out another goldfish. And they had easily 50 regular goldfish (not Ryukin Fantails) in a 10 gallon tank. At least 10-15 were floating on the surface, dead, and others were stuck to the suction end of the filter.

I pulled a kid aside and complained and his response was "They're just feeder goldfish."

I treated my fish like pets, no matter what. When they got sick, I tried to make them well and cared for them like I would a dog.

Re: Question about fish....

Posted by greenfreak

Interesting question, because I was faced with this years ago.

I had a Ryukin Fantail Goldfish obsession years ago. I had them in a 30 gallon tank, bubblers, two filters, water pH testers, the works.

I learned that they can recognize people and they would come over to greet me each morning:

IMAGE

That's Jaz, Flash and Shelby.


IMAGE

Jaz and Flash saying hi to me.

One of their favorite things to eat was broccoli, if you can believe it.

One day, I went to Petco to pick out another goldfish. And they had easily 50 regular goldfish (not Ryukin Fantails) in a 10 gallon tank. At least 10-15 were floating on the surface, dead, and others were stuck to the suction end of the filter.

I pulled a kid aside and complained and his response was "They're just feeder goldfish."

I treated my fish like pets, no matter what. When they got sick, I tried to make them well and cared for them like I would a dog.

Re: Question about fish....

Re: Question about fish....

We've had two goldfish for 8 years! We treat them like part of the family. They come up to us too!

Re: Question about fish....

My husband LOVES fish. We have had at least one tank in every place we've ever lived. And he treats them like any other pet.
He recently put a pond in outside, and got some feeder goldfish to live in it. They're very happy there .
I was talking to him about the fish last night, and he was telling me that he's heard of goldfish living up to 35 years! I don't anyone can consider that "just a fish".

Re: Question about fish....

Treat it like another pet.

I have had goldfish (don't now) and I have a big tank. Just b/c they are feeder fish doesn't mean anything.