People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) recommends that people refrain from keeping aquariums. The group’s reasons include:
• Tropical fish are born to dwell in the ocean and forage along coral reefs. They suffer when forced to spend their lives enclosed in a glass aquarium.
• It’s ethically wrong to place wild animals in captivity for ornamental or hobby reasons.
• Overcollecting of aquatic animals contributes to a decline in the wild population.
• Irresponsible “harvest” of species can lead to reef degradation.
• Some fish breeders “paint” fish by injecting fluorescent dye into their bodies to make them more attractive to buyers.
• Pumps and filters necessary in the aquarium interfere with fish communications–low-frequency buzzes, clicks, and yelps that fish emit to signal courtship, alarm, or submission.
• Species meant to live in community with others are often the only one of their kind in a tank.
• Overcrowding and species incompatibility are common problems.
For more information, visit www.PETA.org.
