Keeping fish in small containers such as wine goblets, vases, small bowls etc, is a subject that comes up occasionally. I know many members, including myself, find seeing any animal confined like this very distressing. I’m sure most don’t mean to deliberately harm their pets, but there isn’t really any justification for it.
1. Arguing that a course of action is morally justified because others have done similar or worse, doesn't make any sense.
2. If shrimp aren’t happy confined in such a small space, surely fish won”t be either.
3. I'm sure some fish in small containers are interactive. But it's probably a survival instinct; something akin to Stockholm Syndrome
4. The fact that conspecific aggression happens in small containers reveals a lot about why fish shouldn't be kept in small containers.
5. The likes of Bettas, and Paradise fish may be happy to be kept alone, but that doesn’t mean they should be kept in small containers.
6. Fish may display certain innate behaviours but it doesn't necessarily mean they are happy. Either way the probability remains they would be much happier in a more appropriately sized aquarium.
7. New research has proven fish are intelligent and sentient capable of experiencing pain and suffering.
Fishes have feelings too: diving into fish myths and setting the record straight
www.rspca.org.uk
8. Seriously Fish pretty much sets the gold standard when it comes to guidelines for minimum aquarium dimensions for various fish species. For instance,
Paradise Fish require an aquarium with base dimensions measuring 80x30cm or equivalent, minimum, for a single pair.
9. Further, keeping fish in small containers is not inline with UKAPS policy on animal welfare; #5 of the
Forum Rules and Guidelines.