Companion Fish Welfare Beyond Goldfish

Beyond goldfish, the companion fish hobby encompasses thousands of species with highly varied welfare needs — many of which are inadequately met in typical aquarium setups.

Key Facts

Over 1,000 freshwater and 500 marine fish species are commonly kept in aquariums
Cichlids, bettas, and plecos are commonly kept but have specific territorial, social, and dietary needs
Bettas (Siamese fighting fish) require at minimum 10 litres per fish; the tiny bowls often sold are harmful
Many popular species including discus, seahorses, and mandarins are difficult to keep and have high mortality rates
Compatible species selection is critical — predatory fish with small fish cause welfare harm to both predator and prey

Welfare Considerations

The companion fish hobby encompasses enormous welfare variation. Experienced hobbyists maintaining species-appropriate setups provide good welfare; beginners misled by pet shop advice into impulse purchases of incompatible species in inadequate tanks cause widespread suffering. The problem is systemic: pet shops often sell fish without adequate husbandry guidance, and online information varies enormously in quality. Species-appropriate tank size, compatible tankmates, appropriate diet, and water chemistry management are all welfare-critical variables that the hobby routinely neglects. Better regulation of fish sales, mandatory husbandry guidance, and hobbyist education would significantly reduce aquarium fish suffering.

What You Can Do

Research species requirements exhaustively before purchasing any fish
Ensure tank size, filtration, and water chemistry are appropriate before adding fish
Only keep compatible species that share appropriate water parameters and are not predator-prey mismatches
Support aquatic retail standards that require species-specific care information at point of sale
Join local aquarium clubs to access experienced hobbyist knowledge about welfare-conscious fishkeeping