Free or Confined – Is it Cruel to Keep Fish in Tanks?

Many of us have fish tanks at our homes. While some of us settle down for the basic arrangements, a few others may decide to go with the full-fledged aquatic world for their pet fish. But, the basic question here is – Is it cruel to keep fish in a tank? Something that may hang between humanity and cruelty, that would make an interesting discussion.This discussion navigates the line between responsible pet ownership and potential cruelty.

The short answer is: No, keeping fish in a tank is not inherently cruel, provided you offer them the best possible dwelling conditions. Cruelty arises from irresponsible care, not from the act of keeping fish in captivity itself. When fish are given sufficient space, proper oxygenation, effective filtration, regular and appropriate food, and other essentials, an aquarium can be a thriving, humane environment.

Is It  Cruel to Keep Fish in a Tank?

It is generally not cruel to keep fish tanks. If you take an optimum care of the fish and their proper environment, there is nothing you need to be worried about. However, if you tend to keep wild fish in a small tank, it may be unethical. A 55 gallon aquarium would be a tiny option when you compare it to the huge habitat of the fish. 

No, keeping fish in a tank is not considered cruel. However, it all depends on the care and living conditions that you provide your pet fish with. As long as you are taking an optimum care of your fish, there is nothing that can be considered cruel in keeping an aquarium.

To be frank, keeping the fish in a tank is the most cruelty free environment that you can provide your fish with. In fact, keeping the fish in a fish tank is the best way and keeping them in a fishbowl is the most cruel and inhuman way to take care of your pets.

Fish tanks have several gallons of water and that would keep your fish safe and sufficient and safe enough to swim and maintain a good quality of life. The crux of the matter is your tank should have enough space and environment for the fish to thrive. Proper care such as frequent cleaning, regular water changes and a few other peecutionary measures will make the fish tank one of the cruelty free environments that your fish can enjoy. 

In essence, make sure that you are providing your fish with the best environment and you can be sure that it is not considered cruel to keep a fish in tank.

What does PETA say about keeping Fish in a Tank?

Animal welfare organizations like PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) generally hold the view that keeping fish in tanks is unethical and cruel, especially when considering wild-caught fish or those kept in inadequate conditions. PETA asserts that fish feel pain and discomfort in captivity and advocates against catching wild fish for aquariums. They also emphasize that fish require consistent stimulation from other fish and a suitable environment, which small tanks often fail to provide.

While PETA suggests a general guideline of “at least 24 square inches of water for every 1 inch of fish,” this is a very basic measure. Most aquatic experts and organizations recommend specific minimum tank sizes per species to ensure adequate swimming space, stable water parameters, and room for growth and natural behaviors.

Why Proper Care Matters?

For a long time, fish were not widely considered capable of feeling pain or experiencing complex emotions. However, recent scientific research has overwhelmingly indicated that fish are sentient beings. Studies published in reputable scientific journals demonstrate that fish possess the capacity to feel pain, stress, and fear, and exhibit complex behaviors. This understanding underscores the ethical responsibility we have to provide them with environments that meet their intricate physical and psychological needs.

How to Make Sure that You have a Cruelty Free Fish Tank?

The ideal requirements for a cruelty free fish tank would be a tank with a functional filter, plastic or real plants and decoration to keep fish motivated and active. PETA recommends at least 24 square inches of water for every 1 inch of fish to ensure well being. 

A fish tank can be cruelty free if it has the proper care from the owner and consists of all the necessary arrangements needed for sustenance of its inhabitants.

Research into your fish before you can keep them in captivity. There are some fish that thrive in a fish tank, while a few others that should never be kept in a tank. There is a middle ground as well which I includes the fish that may be a little difficult to sustain in captivity.

The following list may prove to be helpful in deciding the right fish to keep in a fish tank –

Tips to Keep your Tank Cruelty-free?

Creating a humane environment for your fish goes beyond just having water in a tank. It requires understanding and providing for their specific needs.

1. Tank Size and Space

The size of the tank is paramount. Small fish tanks can be cruel if they don’t offer enough space for fish to swim, grow, and exhibit natural behaviors. A “small” tank is relative to the fish species. A bustling goldfish in a small bowl, for instance, is a hallmark of inhumane keeping.

Fish Species (Adult Size)	Minimum Tank Size (Gallons)	Notes
Betta Fish (Siamese Fighting Fish)	5 Gallons	Needs gentle filtration & hiding spots.
Neon Tetra (1.5 inches)	10 Gallons (for a small school of 6+)	Thrive in groups.
Guppy (2 inches)	10 Gallons (for a small group)	Breed quickly.
Common Goldfish (10+ inches)	20 Gallons (per single fish)	High bio-load, requires powerful filtration.
Molly (2-4 inches)	10-20 Gallons (for a group)	Prefer harder water.

2. Water Quality and Filtration: The Nitrogen Cycle

A functional filter is non-negotiable for maintaining water quality. Fish produce waste (ammonia), which is highly toxic. Beneficial bacteria in the filter convert ammonia to less toxic nitrite, and then to even less harmful nitrate. This process is known as the Nitrogen Cycle, and it’s essential for a healthy aquarium.

Key Water Quality Elements:

• Ammonia, Nitrite, Nitrate Levels: These should be regularly tested using an aquarium test kit. Ammonia and nitrite should always be zero. Nitrates should be kept low with regular water changes.
• pH Level: Varies by fish species; ensure it’s appropriate for your inhabitants.
• Temperature: Maintain a stable temperature suitable for your fish using a reliable heater.

3. Tank Cycling: Setting Up Your Aquarium Right

Before adding any fish, your tank needs to be “cycled.” This process establishes the beneficial bacteria colony necessary for the nitrogen cycle to function. Adding fish to an uncycled tank can lead to “new tank syndrome,” where fish are exposed to lethal levels of ammonia and nitrite.

4. Proper Feeding

Overfeeding your fish can be cruel because leftover food decays, leading to a dangerous buildup of ammonia and nitrites, which can kill fish. Feed only what your fish can consume within five minutes. Multiple small servings throughout the day are better than one large one. Consider specific diets for your fish species (e.g., flakes, pellets, frozen, live foods).

5. Avoiding Overstocking

Overstocking a fish tank is cruel as it reduces swimming area, depletes oxygen, and leads to excessive waste production. Crowding causes immense stress and can lead to aggression and disease. Research the space requirements of each fish type you plan to keep. Fish like Angelfish or Gouramis prefer more vertical space, while Barbs and Goldfish need ample horizontal swimming room.

Is it Cruel to Keep Goldfish in a Tank?

As long as you have a large enough tank, it is not cruel to keep fish in a tank. Make sure that you have been cycling the water and observing a proper maintenance schedule with respect to your tank.  Goldfish are best domesticated fish varieties. If you are keeping a gold fish only tank, it is advisable to keep 20 fish at once. 

However, keeping goldfish in bowls is cruel. It will not provide them enough space to move. That apart, bowls do not offer enough water and oxygen. PETA recommends keeping the goldfish in a tank that has a functional filter, plastic/ real plants and enough decoration for the goldfish to hide.

Are Small Fish Tanks Cruel?

A small fish tank can be cruel if it does not provide enough space for the fish to swim. A small tank can also be a bad option if you do not provide enough water level in the tank. Tank size does definitely matter when keeping fish. That is exactly why are small fish tanks bad. 

A small fish tank can be cruel only if your fish does not have proper place to move and swim. It would largely be dependent on the type of fish you have kept in the tank. Some fish love moving around the tank, while some others prefer staying at a single place. To understand if you ae giving enough space to your fish, you will need to research into the fish you have kept.

If you have the small fish and each of them have enough space to move without any sort of inhibitions, your tank is not cruel even when it is small. However, it is advisable to go with a large tank if you have large fish that are quite active, or you have a huge number of them.

How do You Know Your Fish is under Stress?

You should notice some telltale signs even when they may not be quite obvious. Your fish may be gasping at the surface with an open mouth. It may also try to sit down at the bottom. Anotehr sign can be that a fish under stress will choose not to eat anything. 

In fact, unlike other pets, fish in captivity do not have exhibited signs of stress. Even when tey may have a few signs, they may not be visible to a hobbyist like us. If you do not want the fish to face issues, you need to focus on keeping them in a large tank.

Some signs of stress in fish can include

Is Overfeeding Your Fish Cruel?

The primary issue of overfeeding the fish is that they may reduce eating the surplus food. The leftover fish food will settle down at the bottom and decay. This can cause issues with the water condition. This can result in the build up of ammonia and nitrites. Nitrites are extremely harmful for the fish and can kill them. 

The right amount of food that you can feed your fish is what can consumed in under five minutes. Instead of opting for large servings, you can consider multiple small servings throughout the day. This will prevent the water quality from getting deteriorated. You can even keep fish that clean water, making it a self sustaining tank.

Why is Overstocking a Fish Tank Cruel?

Adding more fish to the fish tank can be quite troublesome as it reduces the swimming area available for the fish. it will also make less oxygen available for them and can also make the fish generate more waste. Crowsding can also cause the fish to experience distress. Check out the  best options for the large tank if you wan to have a larger number of fish. 

The space requirements of each of the fish type cn be different. Fish like Angel Fish or Gaurami like staying at one place and do not move around much. On the other hand, fish like Barbs, Goldfish, Red Cap and Mollies tend to swim all across the tank. Depending on which variety of fish you have planned to keep, you can consider the number of fish that can be kept in your tank. Moreover, it is also advisable to introduce the elements like caves, nooks and other additions so that the fish have a place for hiding and for maintaining their privacy. You should be able to get them easily at your favourite pet store.

The Concluding Thoughts

The debate on whether it is cruel to keep fish in tank is quite complex in nature. While keeping fish in tank can be beneficial for both fish and the pet owners, there are some ethical concerns as well which may make it appear as if keeping fish in tank is cruel. In essence, fish in captivity are known to be living a better life provided that they are given the necessary care.

As long as you are providing your fish with the complete care they need, it is not at all cruel. In fact, it has been observed that fish in ana aquarium live more than in the wild. If you fulfil those requirements, it is not considered cruel to keep fish in tank.