The ethics of rimless tanks and fish jumping

[MurphyLong]

The edges are definitely the most important parts to be covered. A lot of fish shoot straight up along the walls of the tank and out along the edge. I lost a radial file Fish even with one of the BRS mesh lids because there was still a 3/16 gap between the frame of the lid and the glass due to the plastic pieces that hold the lid. It somehow managed to get through the gap and land on top of the mesh part to be quickly cooked by the LEDs

Yeah, lesson learned at the expense of a really cool creature. I put the plastic strips on the back and notched them for cables, so it fits tightly now. I hate that my laziness killed him/her/it.

 

[joecc]

Not entirely sure how to respond since you've completely misconstrued my comments. I wasn't actually 'arguing' that folks should not use screen tops. I clearly note that I do use them. My observation was more amusement about framing the practice of open top tanks in the context of ethics when the entire hobby is one big ethical challenge. That we accept the ethics of keeping these animals in captivity, yet focus on one small element as the 'dilemma' struck me as missing the proverbial forest for the trees. I guess it's a subtle point, and easily missed - or poorly articulated. FWIW, I completely agree with your sentiments.

There are ethical guidelines even in warfare, at least in theory. The topic here seems perfectly appropriate.

 

[kalare]

Not entirely sure how to respond since you've completely misconstrued my comments. I wasn't actually 'arguing' that folks should not use screen tops. I clearly note that I do use them. My observation was more amusement about framing the practice of open top tanks in the context of ethics when the entire hobby is one big ethical challenge. That we accept the ethics of keeping these animals in captivity, yet focus on one small element as the 'dilemma' struck me as missing the proverbial forest for the trees. I guess it's a subtle point, and easily missed - or poorly articulated. FWIW, I completely agree with your sentiments.

Apologies if I misunderstood your post. I do however think the question at hand is one to be asked. Though it may be one small part of the overall hobby, asking the small questions is always a good place to start. Similar argument perhaps, accepting keeping the animals in captivity, but then focusing on the blue tang in a 20 gallon and never moving it.

 

[ca1ore]

The topic here seems perfectly appropriate.

Perhaps I am alone, then, in seeing the irony in it :lol:

 

[joecc]

Perhaps I am alone, then...:

Well, you do use the numeral "1" to spell your name :lmao:

 

[ktownhero]

What a dramatic post...

This has nothing to do with rimless tanks specifically -- a rim doesn't prevent jumpers, a lid/cover does. It's super easy to get a screen top for a rimless tank and it makes almost no effect on the appearance of the tank.

That said, if people want to run without a lid, I don't care... But I would certainly advise it for obvious jumpers such as certain gobies or blennies. I have always kept open-top tanks (rimmed or not) in the past, only recently adding an Artfully Acrylic top to my Red Sea Reefer because I wanted to keep a diamond goby.

 

[smatter]

When a fish jumps out of my uncovered tank my pets get a treat. Circle of Life.

 

[ktownhero]

IMO, the ethics of fishkeeping in general trumps any concerns over using a rimless tank. This hobby is inherently ethically questionable as it's entire premise involves taking animals from their environment and putting them in an experimental container. If you can't stomach losing a fish from jumping then I don't know how you stomach this hobby at all.

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[kalare]

IMO, the ethics of fishkeeping in general trumps any concerns over using a rimless tank. This hobby is inherently ethically questionable as it's entire premise involves taking animals from their environment and putting them in an experimental container. If you can't stomach losing a fish from jumping then I don't know how you stomach this hobby at all.

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So, because (one may believe) that the ethics of pet keeping is bad in general, we should then just not strive to take care of those pets that we have "imprisoned" to the best of our ability? Makes no sense.

What about the ethics of say, using mules for labor to till fields. Some people may call that animal enslavement...so should those farmers than treat those mules like crap or (to draw parallel here) leave them in a pen, with an fence with only an opening on the side of a cliff, such that a startled mule has the chance to mistakenly fall? No, they would fence the whole thing, cause it's smart and is the right thing to do, regardless of any "grey area" that others may or may not think of their mule keeping practices.

 

[albano]

... This hobby is inherently ethically questionable as it's entire premise involves taking animals from their environment and putting them in an experimental container. If you can't stomach losing a fish from jumping then I don't know how you stomach this hobby at all.

And what about the domestication of dogs...why shouldn't they all be returned to the wild!