The problem with this argument coming from a fellow fish keeper is it is neither logical or morally legitimate, it is in fact, hypocrisy. Consider these points:
1) You have already made a moral decision to keep fish in confinement for your pleasure.
2) You have decided that in order for your fish to live it is ok to let other fish die for its survival (read the label on your fish food).
However, for some reason, even though your perfectly fine with housing your fish in less than natural conditions and feeding it food from his ground/dried/and processed comrades, using a fish that was destined to be food is in some way more cruel? I offer these counterpoints:
1) The feeder fish was pre-destined to die a cruel and miserable death. If he didn't die from extremly high ammonia levels in an overcrowded/unfiltered tank at the local fish store, the best he could hope for was to be a dinnner for another fish.
2) Having been purchased not as a food, but as a tool to cycle a tank, he indeed most likely will get introduced into an environment that was better then the one he was in at the lfs/bait shop.
3) After making it through the cycling process his chances of being kept alive are much greater than if he was purchased as food. If he is choosen not to be kept, his death most likely (and should be) will be every bit as humane as being eaten (or I would hope).
The few feeder goldfish I used to cycle my tank are now happily living out there life in a 5000 gallon pond. A much better fate than say a 2.5 gallon bowl(ahem!). As you can see, while your intitled to your opinion, it's just that, an opinion, and I can make a better argument as to how using feeder fish can indeed be moral.
As for fishless cycling I never stated I was against it, however some have brought up points that are just as relevant when cycling with the use of fish. Such as:
Originally Posted by DrgRcr
having to maintain the right ammonia ppm and test almost daily for 4-6 weeks is a good way to start becoming committed to your tank and to learn the patience it will take to continue in the hobby.
Now while this is all good and true, are we to assume the same things would not apply when using feeder fish to cycle a tank? Whether or not the OP intended, the implied message is no it would not. And this is hogwash. I counter with the fact that using a fish cycle is more interactive, and done responsibly, the owner will walk away from the process with every bit as much knowledge if not more so. Water changes, Daily testing, devotion, all that still applies. And if the ammonia level does elevate, the owner can see its immediate effect. It is after all, a learning process.
No one here in support of using feeder fish to cycle ever suggested to just throw in some fish and let nature takes its course, to imply that is twisting the argument.
Those that live in homes with glass houses shouldn't throw stones!
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