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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To have released a goldfish into the stream behind our house

170 replies

roseability · 06/10/2008 22:39

Had 2 goldfish (I got them years ago before DS was born) in quite a big tank and I thought they were well looked after

One died of natural causes so we released the other. My DS wasn't interested in them (only a toddler) and I didn't want him getting old enough to want more as I admit they need more looking after than I originally thought

Am I hideous? Mean? Cruel to animals?

Hit me I can take it

OP posts:
Beachcomber · 06/10/2008 22:58

Well I felt shit about our poor fish (present to 4 yo DD from her granny) being prisoners in a 30L tank. I 'released' them into the enormous rainbutt. They have about doubled in size since and are much perkier. Haven't had to feed them yet but will keep an eye out for the colder weather.

Poor sods. Fish tanks are pretty cruel when you think about it.

cory · 06/10/2008 22:59

No, but it is actually illegal to release non-native fish into streams. It has nothing to do with cruelty.

exasperatedmummy · 06/10/2008 23:00

cory, you have made the only sensible contribution to this thread

exasperatedmummy · 06/10/2008 23:03

Spidermama, where are you? Is it a huge tank?

cory · 06/10/2008 23:03

Sorry, answering exasperated, not you Beachcomber.

My stance would be that fish tanks are not cruel if you buy them of a suitable size for the species and look after them meticulously. 30 ltr tank for goldfish, yes that would be cruel in my books. 240 ltr tank (with weekly water changes) for small tropical fish, not cruel.

PeaMcLean · 06/10/2008 23:04

Yes, of course. Intentional cruelty to a living thing is absolutely fine, isn't it.

VineGARISHtits · 06/10/2008 23:07

Erm, exchuse me, why was my contribution not sensible? i said its probably dead, and it probably is

cheesesarnie · 06/10/2008 23:07

op did you not think it bit cruel?

exasperatedmummy · 06/10/2008 23:08

ah you see, thats where im lost - 30l tank seems HUGE to me lol

exasperatedmummy · 06/10/2008 23:08

very sensible vinegar!

Beachcomber · 06/10/2008 23:09

Possibly cory (I know you were not directing that at me).

Our fish we're imposed on us by well meaning grandparents. They sweetly bought all the gear but we always felt the tank was too small for two fish.

Our fish are definitely happier in the rainbutt. Will bring them in if they don't do well in cold weather, Feel crap about putting them back in the 'prison' tank though.

exasperatedmummy · 06/10/2008 23:10

i actually didn't know that about the release thing though - so i have learnt something tonight

ButtonMeUp · 06/10/2008 23:10

yabVu

purpleduck · 06/10/2008 23:15

To OP
Are you not just teaching your child that if you don't want something/are fed up with it, then its ok to just dump it....?

mabanana · 06/10/2008 23:16

SO fascinated by the idea that it is illegal to release goldfish that I looked it up. And as far as I can see, it isn't illegal. isn't. Goldfish don't seem to be a listed native fish to whom the law applies can't see any goldfish here!

I am astounded people are so aerated! It's only a fish. I ate his fishy brethren as fishcakes tonight.

Beachcomber · 06/10/2008 23:22

You can have mine for fishcakes tomorrow if you want, free for postage like.

mabanana · 06/10/2008 23:23

hmm...think goldfish fishcakes might be tad bony...otherwise, bring 'em on!
Can anyone ever really feel affectionate towards a fish?

cory · 06/10/2008 23:25

That is just a list of the species you need an ILFA licence to keep or release at all- even in your own private fish farm/lake. I don't think that means that you can go and release other fish in a stream that you don't own or that connects to other streams. Though I could be wrong.

kormAaaarrrggghhhchameleon · 06/10/2008 23:28

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

cory · 06/10/2008 23:30

I do actually like fish. I breed rare species, and also have a few long-living species that are a bit more like pets. But mainly I'm interested in animal behaviour, courtship rituals etc.

I wouldn't be shocked by someone killing a fish, I do it myself from time to time, though I would be shocked by someone maltreating a fish over a long period of time because they can't be bothered to learn about animal husbandry. In the same way, I am happy to eat pork, beef and venison but think animals should be treated well while they're alive.

TiltingAtWindmills · 06/10/2008 23:30

I don't think it was particularly cruel or unreasonable.
You may sleep tonight without being wracked with guilt, as far as I'm concerned.

VineGARISHtits · 06/10/2008 23:30

I was fond of my fish mabanana

exasperatedmummy · 06/10/2008 23:34

here here cory, good post. I think that people are oversentimental about animals. But i do think that animal welfare is of paramount importance.

Purpleduck - sorry, you failed - this would have applied were the child five, not 18M.

How many of you have cage pets? Rabbits stuck ina hutch all year round, hamsters in boxes - all major cruelty in my books - releasing a goldfish in a stream - bit thoughtless

Beachcomber · 06/10/2008 23:34

Serious question.

Cory do you think I can leave my goldfish outside in the winter (we live in France but it does get cold) or do you think I should bring them in?

Thanks.

cory · 06/10/2008 23:36

If the pond is deep enough so it won't freeze you should be able to leave them. Just don't feed them when the temperature drops as their metabolism slows down.