Animal Neglect Perpetuated by Pet Stores

A great number of people have owned fish as pets—they are a popular first companion for children due to their ease of care. However, most kids' fish end up replaced over and over again because of their disappointing life spans—but did you know that, in proper conditions, goldfish can live for decades upon decades? It all comes down to proper care.

Contrary to popular belief, goldfish need large aquariums—in fact, the general consensus in the fish community is that the minimum tank size for goldfish is anywhere between 20-55 gallons depending on the specific type.

This sounds excessive; why does the tank have to be so large? Goldfish are some of the dirtiest aquarium fish alive. All fish secrete ammonia as waste, but goldfish produce a significantly larger amount. This means that in smaller tanks and bowls, the concentration of the dangerous chemical increases far more quickly than in a larger tank. 1 gallon bowls are too small to keep any species of fish healthy for any prolonged period of time, but they are especially detrimental to goldfish because of how much waste they produce. Furthermore, comet goldfish can grow up to 12-inches long and small aquariums can stunt their growth, leading to health complications.

Another popular fish species for children and beginner aquarists are betta fish. They are admired not only for their jewel-like colors and flowing fins, but also because they are found in rice paddies in nature, meaning that they can thrive in even small tanks. But how small is too small? It is popular belief that a 2.5 gallon tank is the smallest tank that can maintain a proper colony of bacteria. This bacteria is vital to keeping healthy fish—they live in the tank's filter and convert the aforementioned ammonia into far safer chemicals.

The Nitrogen Cycle, Illustrated

But having a large enough tank isn't enough for the common betta fish; they are tropical fish and therefore live healthiest and happiest in water between 78 and 82 degrees Fahrenheit. Keeping your betta in an optimal environment will make its colors more vivid, its fins less ragged, and its demeanor more active—not to mention it will likely live far longer and be less susceptible to diseases such as finrot.

"But wait!" you cry. "The pets stores told me I could use a bowl! Why would they sell them if they are so inhumane?" The answer is profit. The entire purpose of a fish, as a common pet, is to be affordable and easy. Therefore, pet stores market them as such, even though it isn't what they necessarily are. Bowls are cheap, as well as gravel, fake plants, and an 80 cent goldfish or 3 dollar betta. This means that people are far more likely to jump into fish ownership on a whim than they are to purchase a more expensive and seemingly work-intensive pets. And then, when the fish dies, the owner is unlikely to pursue the cause of death—they chalk it up to getting what they paid for, or the fact that fish are generally (and falsely) known for having limited lifespans.

Fish are living, sentient animals that don't deserve any of the ammonia burns, infections, and parasites that result from the normalized neglect they often receive. If dogs and cats were locked in a cold closet, there would be an outrage—so why do we let fish suffer similarly? If you want a pet fish, the best thing you can do is perform research and support your local fish stores over chain pet stores that endorse inappropriate conditions for living creatures.