Inappropriate fish, moral quandary

M

Mr.Brongher

New Fish
#1
Mar 2, 2011
8
0
0
The Bronx, NY
#1
I've been corresponding with a guy in my area who keeps fish. Nice guy. He told me he wanted to get a red tailed catfish. When I pointed out how they really aren't aquarium fish he said he just wanted it until it got big enough to be a nuisance or not cute, then he'd trade it in.

My first reaction was righteous indignation, and I had a pithy rejoinder written out to him, the gist of which was that I didn't like to keep fish I knew I couldn't care for, and how any red-tailed cat was almost undoubtedly fated to die an untimely death. But then I got to thinking - I've traded in various live bearers and a big batch of goldfish from my pond to my LFS. I was excited to be able to. But, even though it's a good store with knowledgeable owners, they aren't exactly doing background checks on their customers, and I'd be surprised if a fair number of those fish I traded away haven't been flushed down to fish heaven by now. So even though I do make sure to take the best care I can of the fish I have that I keep, had I sent my friend that message, I'd be a hypocrite. He wants to keep a fish for just a while and then hand it off to wherever, I want to breed fish I have no intention of keeping throughout their whole lives. I'm growing out some betta's right now actually.

So, thoughts... I thought I had a stance on an issue here, but now I'm feeling I don't have a leg to stand on.
 

achase

achase

Large Fish
#2
Feb 1, 2010
765
0
0
British Columbia, Canada
#2
I think keeping red tailed catfish is a very different experience than your typical fish. From what I know of them they require extra care that most hobbyist are unable to provide for them. In saying that I think trading in goldfish and live bearers is very different than trading in a catfish because most places are equip to deal/care for goldfish and live bearers. Plus they are popular fish, they are most likely to be resold/re-bought than a catfish. Red tailed catfish get huge!! I'm much like you in that I don't like to keep fish that I know I can't care for long-term, not that I'm saying I haven't traded in a fish before. I think breeding is a different issue from basically loaning a fish.

Personally I would advise your friend against buying a red tailed catfish. What type of environment would your friend be keeping the catfish in? I'm guessing not the appropriate one for a red tailed catfish if he plans on getting rid of it eventually.

Those are my thoughts....hopefully they make sense I wrote this really late (technically really early in the morning but whatever!).
 

M

Mr.Brongher

New Fish
#3
Mar 2, 2011
8
0
0
The Bronx, NY
#3
achase said:
...In saying that I think trading in goldfish and live bearers is very different than trading in a catfish because most places are equip to deal/care for goldfish and live bearers. Plus they are popular fish, they are most likely to be resold/re-bought than a catfish. I think breeding is a different issue from basically loaning a fish.
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So did I but think of it this way - once we trade fish to a store, it can be bought by thoughtless or ill-advised people and mistreated. A non-trivial amount will suffer and then die. I don't know of any way to dispute this.

That is exactly my objection to red-tailed cats and other inappropriate fish being sold by stores and bought by people. There is just no way that most of them won't suffer and die - it's cruel and wasteful. The only difference is that i hope that most or some of the fish I trade in will go to good homes, and only some will be mistreated, whereas with the RTC I'm almost sure all of them are mistreated.

So we only have a difference of degrees. Add to that the fact that I cull occasionally, and breed guppies just to feed them to my eel, and I don't know if I can righteously object to his "fish-rental." Should it make a difference because the RTC is bigger? I don't think so.

achase said:
Personally I would advise your friend against buying a red tailed catfish.
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Oh I did that from square one, but I stopped myself from more strenuously objecting when he outlined his rental-plan.
 

aakaakaak

aakaakaak

Superstar Fish
#4
Sep 9, 2010
1,324
0
0
Chesapeake, Virginia
#4
At least your friend has the intention of returning the red-tailed cat to the LFS instead of releasing it into the wild, to breed with other local cats, screwing up the natural balance.

For a little perspective, once the red-tailed cat gets too big fillet it out and have a fish fry. I loves me some catfish. ;)
 

M

Mr.Brongher

New Fish
#5
Mar 2, 2011
8
0
0
The Bronx, NY
#5
aakaakaak said:
At least your friend has the intention of returning the red-tailed cat to the LFS instead of releasing it into the wild, to breed with other local cats, screwing up the natural balance.

For a little perspective, once the red-tailed cat gets too big fillet it out and have a fish fry. I loves me some catfish. ;)
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I think you're kidding but just in case - releasing it into the wild would kill it. It might eat some natives (or a lot of them) and introduce disease or parasites, but come fall, dead.

And you know, if he was going to eat it, I wouldn't have any problems with that. A little creepy, but I'm a meat eater - I've got nothing against farming.
 

aakaakaak

aakaakaak

Superstar Fish
#6
Sep 9, 2010
1,324
0
0
Chesapeake, Virginia
#6
Up in NY it probably would freeze out and die. The further south you go the more likely it would live and thrive. Releasing aquarium fish into the wild is bad times.

A good chunk of the medium to large aquarium fish we keep are used for food in some places. Catfish like common plecos are cooked up like normal in some places. My snakeskin gourami is street vendor food.
 

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