PETA's Stance on Aquariums

[Chill]

Please don’t support the tropical fish trade by purchasing fish. If you enjoy watching fish, consider downloading one of the many colorful and realistic fish computer screensavers available on the Web.

Please don’t support this stupidity by donating to PETA. If you enjoy mindless dribble, consider sending them some of the many colorful and realistic looking bills contained in your Monoploy game.

 

[pophead]

disgusting article.
they probably saw one or two tanks a few years back, noisy filter, not clean glass, and assumed that it was bad for fish.
and... tools? I'm sorry but I haven't even seen my krib or angel(usually fairly intelecual) make a tool of any kind.
they even got their facts wrong! I mean, a lot of fish need above 76F water, fish stores are NOT a place to go for info, 1 inch for 3 gallons... :soda: ,I don't have an airpump on my 55gal. and my fish are alive!
so there goes all their wisdom, thrown out by a 16 year old not that gr8 at science, and only 2 years old keeping fish...

 

[125gJoe]

.. ..
These people live on another planet....maybe Joe can point them in the right direction and help them find thier way back home....

Sorry I can't help them. Also, they might be part of the reason 'ET' won't land and establish true 'contact'. PETA's actions show just how immature some of our fellow being are. We are not as abvanced as we would want to believe -- thanks PETA...

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As far as the aquarium tips go... Sometimes they just have to "give in" and say 'yes' to their kids and get an aquarium...

 

[happychem]

Certainly a lack of intelligent life.

PETA is the perfect example of how a little knowledge can be a dreadful thing. Their first paragraph is riddled with the type of Disney-esque drivel that one usually finds spouting from such utter fools. They create this idillic imagery of these wild fish frolicing freely and gracefully in this magestic area where all living beings live in harmony. Let's add an amendment to it to include "be eaten by predators, overfished by the hungry denizens of the 3rd world, and killed by unregulated dumping of waste from develloping nations".

Not surprisingly many of the woes they describe are many of the things that folks at these forums work very hard to oppose. Scary that we can agree with these vacuous fools on some things, but I suppose that those of us who support good fish husbandry and consciencious pet care in general are bound to agree with these zealots sometimes.

I had to chuckle at their Machiavellian reference. How absurd. Certainly fish are capable of a degree of intelligence, but I don't think that political scheming is quite part of the mix. Aparently they're just handing out Ichthyology degrees...

With the exception of the typical PETA empty-headedness, much of that article (if one can grace such a piece with the title) isn't that bad, it's basically talking about a bunch of stuff that we all hold near and dear, namely proper fish care and bettas not belonging in bowls, purses, or cars. Too bad little or none of it will get taken seriously because of the publishers.

 

[Chill]

In 2004, the city of Monza, Italy, banned the keeping of goldfish in bowls because the containers do not meet the needs of the animals and because, as one sponsor of the law pointed out, bowls give fish “a distorted view of reality.”

Hey maybe that's the problem maybe these PETA people have been kept in fish bowls. Something has sure distorted their reality.

 

[nursie]

Biologists say that there is no safe way to return captive fish to their natural environments—which are often located in a completely different region of the world—because of the difficulty in locating such a habitat and the possibility of introducing disease to the other fish there. Researchers have found many species of non-native fish, including predatory species, living off the coast of Florida, and they attribute these populations to careless aquarium owners.(15) These fish pose a real threat to native species. Never flush fish down the toilet in the hopes of “freeing” them, as seen in the popular movie Finding Nemo. Even if a fish survived the shock of being put into the swirling fresh water, he or she would die a painful death in the plumbing system or at the water treatment plant.(16)

If you already have fish, you can make their lives easier by providing them with an environment that is as much like their natural habitat as possible. While captive fish can never live natural lives, the following tips will help ensure that they are as happy as possible:

• The more space that fish have, the happier and healthier they will be. Their needs can vary, so check with an expert or consult a good fish book or expert to determine their requirements. One general guideline is that you should provide 3 gallons for every 1 inch of fish.(17)
• Treat tap water properly before putting it in the aquarium, as most municipal water has chlorine in it, which can kill fish. The type of chemicals that you should use depends on your area’s water. Consult with a local tropical fish supply store to determine the proper treatment.
• Different types of fish require different pH levels. Check the pH level daily for the first month and weekly thereafter.
• A filter to remove waste particles and noxious chemicals from the water is essential. Live plants help with this task and provide oxygen, shelter, hiding places, and the occasional snack.
• A properly working air pump is necessary to provide oxygen.
• Fish need a constant temperature, generally between 68°F and 76°F, but you should check with a fish supply store for information that is specific to the type of fish that you are keeping.(18) Automatic aquarium heaters monitor the water temperature and turn the heater on and off as needed. Attaching a small thermometer to the tank will help you ensure that the heater is functioning properly.
• The natural waste of fish emits ammonia, which can accumulate to toxic levels, so clean the tank regularly, but never empty the tank completely. Be sure to clean the glass well with a pad or a brush to prevent algae growth.
• Create places for the fish to hide in and explore. Ceramic objects, natural rocks, and plants work well. Make sure that all objects are thoroughly cleaned and disinfected before they are put into the tank. Do not use metal objects, as they will rust.
• Be aware of the environment outside the aquarium. Suddenly switching on a bright light in a dark room can startle fish, and vibrations from a television or a stereo can alarm and stress them.
• Keep all harmful chemicals away from the aquarium. Cigarette smoke, paint fumes, and aerosol sprays can be toxic if they are absorbed into the water.
• The aquarium should be in a spot where temperature and light are constant and controllable. Tropical fish supply stores may be able to advise you on the best amount of light for the fish you are keeping. Remember that direct sunlight and drafts from nearby doors or windows can change the water temperature, and fumes from a nearby kitchen or workshop can injure the fish.
• Don’t overfeed! Uneaten food and waste material are broken down into ammonia and nitrites, which are toxic. One expert recommends providing only as much food as your fish can eat in 30 seconds.(19)
• If a fish seems sick or lethargic, take him or her to a vet. Fish can be medicated, anesthetized, given shots, and operated on, just like other animals. Take along a separate sample of the tank water.
• Most fish enjoy companionship. If you have a single fish, check with friends and neighbors to find another loner to adopt—but don’t support the fish trade by going to a dealer.

You gotta admit that this part of the article makes sense....if you can get past the rest of it. ...so I need more fish...anyone have some I can adopt???
The care described might not be right on target, but it's better than telling people to set them free, which is what I exected them to do.

 

[Chill]

Yes even a stopped clock is right twice a day.

Sorry I was bred to dislike animal rights activists. It was practicaly part of the cirriculum in school.

 

[slipknottin]

well, except for this part - " A properly working air pump is necessary to provide oxygen."

 

[TheMightyQueenPixie]

Please don’t support this stupidity by donating to PETA. If you enjoy mindless dribble, consider sending them some of the many colorful and realistic looking bills contained in your Monoploy game.

Brilliant :clap:

I had the pleasure of dealing with these mental midgets from time to time when I sold leather wholesale...They would start with the "leather is murder" crap and I would patiently point out that leather is the oldest form of recycling...Go have a "beef" with the food industry..While my sofa is naturally biodegrading and returning to the earth, your vinyl jacket will be there for 10,000 years...
My fav. PETA spokesperson has to be Pam Anderson, quote "fur looks ridculous"...Apparently gigantic rubber boobs dont...

 

[Lila]

Brilliant :clap:

My fav. PETA spokesperson has to be Pam Anderson, quote "fur looks ridculous"...Apparently gigantic rubber boobs dont...

:laugh: :laugh:

Very good, MQP!