Fish tanks at dentists

[SplendidRhododendronsDeirdre]

I’ve been visiting the dentists a bit recently and the fish tanks are really upsetting me. Loads of beautiful fish, caged, swimming round aimlessly in a sea of plastic plants. I find it really upsetting.

How is it different to having a caged hamster? Which I also hate btw.

Should I say something? Before they start on me, obvs.

surely they are soothing/relaxing to nervous patients.

Say something?
You really think they’ll get rid of the fish tanks because they’re upsetting you, instead of suggesting you take your business elsewhere?

It would be worth saying something if there would be any benefit to the fish in doing so.
But many people would not agree it is an animal welfare issue, so all you'll do is put the dentist in the position of having to say placating things... but unlikely they'll make any change because they likely get other patients saying how lovely and calming the fish are.
If they are healthy and well cared for you can't really complain about a thing which is culturally and socially accepted. All you'll be doing is venting your personal preference.

Like pp said, they aren't going to get rid of their fish because you don't like it.

Are you feeling nervous about your dental treatment and it’s manifesting as anxiety about the fish ?

Not the other fishtanks? Just the ones at dentists? or are aquariums ok?

does it remind you of finding nemo?

I was going to side with the OP .. but you've convinced me!

🤨 it’s hardly dolphins at sea world. Assuming it’s a proper fish tank and not a goldfish bowl, I’m sure they’re quite ok.

My psychiatrist has a fish tank in the waiting room. He says it's very helpful with anxious patients, particularly children. Sometimes when I need a break in a session, I pop out and have a look at them for a few minutes and it's quite calming.

I’ve heard it all now

If this is seriously a big thing playing on your mind then you are very privileged indeed. Far more pressing issues in the world to worry about than a bloody fish tank for goodness sake

Do you consume fish or other animal products, OP?

They're only 'aimless' because they're not avoiding being eaten by pretty much everything else in the sea/lake/river and a sizeable proportion of things from land or the skies.

So they're (in my opinion) considerably more relaxed than your average bottom 10% of the Food Web is.

Caveat: they're in a suitably sized tank with a healthy pH/fed appropriately and not overpopulated - dentists don't tend to leave them in a state, as it's bad for custom to have dirty tanks, thick algae, high ammonia levels, dead fish, parasite infestations and ten thousand baby snails a week. But you'd have mentioned it if they looked like that.

I'd love to visit a dentist with a hamster or a couple of gerbils in the waiting room!

Do you eat fish out of interest?
I've got some guppies, I think they have a reasonable life.

😁

Do you think a snake would be more relaxing OP?

A friend of mine has a fish tank at their house and it's quite big and I notice that children who visit their house stand in front of it for long periods just watching the fish.

He doesn't let them bang on the glass as this might startle them, they just watch them calmly.

I have to say, he regularly cleans the tank and it takes him hours and he tests the water to make sure it's well balanced.

I think it depends how the tank/fish are looked after. You can tell if the tank is clean by how clear the water is

Unless you're talking a soulless glass block housing 70 mega fish swimming around an algae-ridden tank, they'll think you're bonkers.

Get a grip.

There have been several studies on this. There is very clear evidence that fish tanks in dentists' waiting rooms calm anxious patients.

One such study:

www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8509982/

🙄
Yes complain, it will make you look completely bonkers. It’s a fish tank, pretty sure the fish are less stressed than you are.

Meanwhile, in Gaza...

There is a large fish tank in our local children’s hospital waiting area. It really helped distract ds when he had to make several visits for painful treatment. They have a donation box so you can contribute to their upkeep, as the staff do it voluntarily at their own expense. I think it’s a lovely idea, and would think it very sad if someone complained about it.

Do you think the fish are bored OP?