Some Sort of Conversation

Things have been really sloooow here, and at least I'm making an effort for excitement. So here's a question I just needed  to have an answer for, so at least somebody's got to at answer it. Oh yeah, the only reason this is on the Juniors' section is because I don't think all the adults would appreciate it, and so far there are only 2 in here. That's pretty sad. Anyways =) Here it is:

Would anybody buy a fish that had been injected with dye to make it checkered or some other non natural pattern? I saw fish that had pink zig zags, and I did not understand why somebody would buy it. Wouldn't that hurt the fish? Did you know that octopi can have personalities?

Hi Deirdre

An interesting question. Presumably you're talking about live "pet" fish?

I've no idea whether it hurts the fish or not - maybe there are biologists out there who can advise on this? However, as a moral issue it seems to me totally unnecessary, unnatural and basically repugnant. So no, I wouldn't buy one.

Geraint

Hello Deidre

I have just returned from a trip and seen your mail. Incidentally I think you may have had a birthday recently, so Happy Birthday (if you did).

I googled 'Painted Fish' and found lots of information about this unnecessary and unpleasant practice. When I was your age I kept a couple of tanks of tropical fish and always thought their natural colours were spectacular. I agree with Geraint (I usually do) and I certainly wouldn't buy one.

Peter.