fish legislation

[Beasts]

It's too bad that legislation is, apparently, required in order to get human beings to behave appropriately toward their pets. Pet owners insist that they love the animals they choose to keep and then fail to provide conditions which will allow them even a comfortable existence. Yet another instance in which our claim to superiority as a species is called into question. Evolution still has a lot of room to improve beyond Homo sapiens. I suppose I shouldn't be surprised considering the amount of legislation required to force us to treat each other decently.
Beasts

 

[Lupin]

I agree its great that a governing body has finally stepped up to the plate. The truth is yes the Swiss are more likely to work with this and here in lays the problem. They are the only country that could make this law work and that is sad. IMO i feel that all these novalty bowls need to be banned. If the bowls are banned along with these little 1,2,3 ect gal small tanks then that would leave the smallest to be a 10 gal. Now with a 10 gal beginning the smallest that would be much more suitable for small fish to live in.

5g would actually be fine for a single betta and depending on how the owner treats the fish, it has its pros and cons. Of course, we always know larger tanks always have more stable water conditions in comparison to smaller ones. A 10g would indeed be a better option as it is much easier to control the water conditions than in smaller compartments, not to mention fish always appreciate adequate space compared to being cramped forever.

What needs to be banned are those wall fish tanks. They are so skinny I do not know how you can have any decent filter going for them and the space is so skinny how can anything grow in them.

Marinemom

Now that you mention it, I often wonder how most fish can swim comfortably around well other than swimming up and down which I am sure they don't do in the wild.

It's too bad that legislation is, apparently, required in order to get human beings to behave appropriately toward their pets. Pet owners insist that they love the animals they choose to keep and then fail to provide conditions which will allow them even a comfortable existence. Yet another instance in which our claim to superiority as a species is called into question. Evolution still has a lot of room to improve beyond Homo sapiens. I suppose I shouldn't be surprised considering the amount of legislation required to force us to treat each other decently.
Beasts

We'll always be imperfect, Beasts. No one person is really perfect. We will simply strive to improve everyday.

 

[catfish69hunter]

Now i dont know too much about UK laws, but here in the US People can patition for an idea to be made into law. It would be a great thing if the government would accept a petition for the ban of small fish bowls but as we all know the dollar or euro outways anything that is cruel to anyone or anything else. I just wish we could get one going to make an attempt.

 

[Lupin]

Now i dont know too much about UK laws, but here in the US People can patition for an idea to be made into law. It would be a great thing if the government would accept a petition for the ban of small fish bowls but as we all know the dollar or euro outways anything that is cruel to anyone or anything else. I just wish we could get one going to make an attempt.

I did mention this one awhile ago in another topic and I agree with you.

It really depends on the store's policy to be able to figure out the situation. In business, they target profit over moral standards. If the individual is not allowed to ask questions that might or might not let the customer proceed to buying what he needs, then the store can be held morally responsible for that. Imagine buying a new tank and in some cases, it is too small for the standard size recommended, there is not much to be expected from a fish you bought the same day assuming the tank was not immediately seeded so rising levels of ammonia and nitrites can at least be avoided. It's the customer's loss, the store's gain.

An individual can be held morally responsible however if he chooses to give the wrong advice intentionally convincing the customer that what he is talking about is bound to work when he has never experienced or even tried it. He can also be held responsible if he chooses to follow his supervisor's orders to do what he knows is not right. In the end, the individual should know what is right and what is wrong. Even if he tries to do what he thinks is not right, then what he did is immoral.

 

[Mozl0v]

I believe it should be here in Canada also b/c I have seen some pet stores and people in the hobby have way over stocked Tanks ..and i don't believe that is fair for the fish to be massed like that ..just not enough room ..be should be more careful on how they stock their tanks

 

[catfish69hunter]

The sad part is that once again the people who feel that this is wrong and want it righted are lead by people too worried about $$$$$$. The lack of legislation is as much our fault as its the fualt of our officals.

 

[Lupin]

I believe it should be here in Canada also b/c I have seen some pet stores and people in the hobby have way over stocked Tanks ..and i don't believe that is fair for the fish to be massed like that ..just not enough room ..be should be more careful on how they stock their tanks

I understand why the petstores tend to overstock the tanks. If the fish they stock are in high demand, then it won't be much of a problem as stocking them in a tank permanently. The number of fish dwindles daily as customers buy them. I am sure most stores actually do daily water changes to cope with the wastes. You have to admit some stores have inadequate space to accommodate more tanks hence their tendency to overstock. My LFS even overstocks their tanks but as long as they are maintained vigorously, I see no reason to complain. As long as the fish they mix in are compatible, I won't complain. What I would complain about is most LFS don't actually provide enough hiding places for the fish to hide when stressed. Poor fish have nowhere to hide when stressed. As far as the schooling fish, you have to admit they actually feel more secured in large groups. It never hurts though to add more hiding places so the weaker ones can seek refuge. A good example is, if you proceed to www.loaches.com, Emma Turner's petstop in Peterborough, UK. She has her best interests at heart for the loaches. If you look at her pics, all her loach tanks have plenty of hiding places. Though not many loaches can eventually grab their own hiding place, they nevertheless feel much comfortable with the presence of the hiding places and are less stressed in comparison to those who don't have them.

 

[Beasts]

Lupin,
A point of clarification; I spoke of "our claim to superiority as a species" with no mention of perfection. Humans are considered, by humans, to be superior to other species and yet we have a huge amount of difficulty behaving morally and ethically. Believe me, I had no thought of suggesting that any human being has ever approached perfection. Well, except me of course.
Beasts

 

[Hooked Newbie]

the new legislation are to include dogs, cats, cattle, horses, pigs, sheep, guinea pigs, lizards and rhinoceroses...

I guess I can't move to Swizerland with my Rhino.

Great idea overall, but how on earth did rhinos get thrown in?!

 

[jenratico]

We'll always be imperfect, Beasts. No one person is really perfect. We will simply strive to improve everyday.

I'm speaking about USA here, and don't have experience with other countries, so won't make comparisons - US Americans pride lies in individual rights and is very separatist. The emphasis in our societal norms is heavily weighted towards personal ability and worth; not community. So when our neighbor says "maybe you should try....." we tell them not to butt in, it is our right to slap a child, chain a dog out in all weather, keep fish in any way we choose. Through our social norms we aren't always good and respectful and right-treating to other humans, much less animals of any kind. And yes, I'm stereotyping, but as an American born and raised, I can speak to what I see. I can only hope norms will shift more towards community accountability and social responsibility. It's what I try to teach my children - and taking care of our pets is part of that lesson.