by Amelia Emery

Created on: December 03, 2010

Keeping fish as pets in an aquarium is not cruel.  That would be like comparing it to  keeping a house cat or a Miniature Poodle as a pet inside a house as cruel. Just like anything else, if the pet owner is responsible and takes good care of the animal, the animal will live a healthy and happy life in captivity.  Fish are no exception to dogs and cats and other domestic animals that live and interact with humans.

Fish have been kept in captivity for hundreds of years for food or as pets.  There are many types of fish that can be considered domesticated for ornamental and aquacultural purposes.  The most famous of these would be the common goldfish. Other domesticated fish include koi, guppies, angel fish, cichlids, catfish and bettas.   

Common goldfish were bred and selected from the wild ordinary brown form for hundreds of years in Asia to have traits such as golden scales, long fins and other such characteristics such as protruding telescope eyes and egg shaped bodies. These traits can be compared to pug noses, short legs and curly coats that characterize many dog breeds.  The point is, you wouldn’t expect a Dachshund or a Boxer to survive with out human care and these fish are no exception.  These fish no longer have the ability to survive in the wild as fish that have been bred to be beautiful as pets now lack the wild body design that would enable them to swim away from danger or be camouflaged from predators.  These fish are happy and at home in an aquarium where they will be fed and cared for. 

Domestication of an animal will also make it more docile and willing to interact with humans.  Fish that have been bred and raised in aquariums for generations lose the fear of humans and will gladly accept food from fingers.  The same can be said of trout that have been raised in farms and do not swim away from an approaching human with feed in their hands. 

Like farm raised trout, the vast majority of pet fish are raised in captivity and have never even been in their native environment or their native country for that matter.  Wild fish do not do well in aquariums as they often carry diseases or will not accept the food that is given to them and die shortly after being captured.  Trying to keep wild fish as pets only to see them suffer and die is definitely cruel.

As long as the fish are well cared for and given the proper environment, keeping fish in an aquarium is far from being cruel.  Fish are wonderful pets for anyone willing to spend the time to learn about their needs and want them to survive and thrive. 

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