Fishes

Often in plain sight, yet conversely going largely unnoticed, fishes kept in captivity are suffering in tanks and aquariums across New Zealand.

Across the country, fishes are admired for their beauty, and kept in tanks in doctors’ offices, schools and homes. However, contrary to popular belief, fishes do not make good pets. The needs of fishes are far more complex than the needs of cats and dogs, making it easy to unwittingly compromise their welfare or create elevated stress levels that can sometimes result in death. Simply over-feeding fishes, moving them or not paying attention to water temperature and acidity levels can have disastrous results.

Keeping animals in captivity is becoming less acceptable to Kiwis. As a nation, we are becoming more aware that aquariums do not allow fishes to express their natural behaviour and offer only a fraction of the space fishes need.

Fishes are incredible animals, with vast arrays of complex emotional and social needs. They should be provided the opportunity to express these needs as they choose – not for the benefit of humans.