Fish and Humans

[Abernathy]

Just curious, but I was wondering how many of you folks equate your fish companions with humans? By some of the posts I have been reading recently, some members may be doing just that. Frankly, IMO, fish are fish, meant to be pets, to be eaten, or to be fed to other animals. They are not human.

 

[bkk_group]

sure i eat fish sometimes but i also have a great love of my bettas, to me they are more than just pets. everytime i look at them i am amazed at their intelligence. they bring me a great amount of joy and fascination. no, they are not people, but in some ways i respect my bettas more than some people and their opinions.

 

[aberdeen aquarist]

fish certainly aren't human, they are much better than us!!
i've never heard of a fish starting a war, or invading another
country for no reason!!
all in all, i find that the human species/race is the worst,
most destructive species on this planet, yet some still think
that we are the species all other's should aspire to become.

 

[millym]

well said aberdeen aquarist.............

 

[Cheese Specialist]

fish certainly aren't human, they are much better than us!!
i've never heard of a fish starting a war, or invading another
country for no reason!!
all in all, i find that the human species/race is the worst,
most destructive species on this planet, yet some still think
that we are the species all other's should aspire to become.

Abernathy, if people do not love their pets IMO they shouldn't have them.

What's up with you? I much prefer animals to humans as they are trully innocent and defensless for the most part.

 

[Idolz]

I wouldn't want to watch people live in my fish tank, thats why I have fish.

 

[HeatherSweetness]

What's up with you? I much prefer animals to humans as they are trully innocent and defensless for the most part.

I totally agree with that,cheese. I cried for 2 days when my very first betta died. Even tho it was a fish,I was very attached. I had him for a long time,and when I got home from work he was nearly dead. I didn't get a chance to even try to figure out what happened or try to prevent it and I was VERY upset. I am very emotional when it comes to my pets. I can't imagine my life without them,may it be my snakes,fish,or dogs.

 

[wuvmybetta]

fish certainly aren't human, they are much better than us!!
i've never heard of a fish starting a war, or invading another
country for no reason!!
all in all, i find that the human species/race is the worst,
most destructive species on this planet, yet some still think
that we are the species all other's should aspire to become.

So true!
I'll take animals (fish included!) over people any day! I'll step over a homeless guy to go feed a stray dog how twisted is that?

But back to fish....my fish are like part of the family, I also fish and eat fish

 

[cation]

As long as you aren't stepping ON him, I think it's okay...

 

[Cheese Specialist]

So true!
I'll take animals (fish included!) over people any day! I'll step over a homeless guy to go feed a stray dog how twisted is that?

But back to fish....my fish are like part of the family, I also fish and eat fish

I agree, it's going to be a human's fault that the dog is homeless to start with...not saying that homeless people are at fault for their situation but they have more of a chance.

 

[Abernathy]

Well, I see that the scales are quite weighted on the side of animals over humans so far. Although I value my many fish and my dog, I do not view them as family or would replace human companionship with animal companionship, nor even equate them as comparable. Do you folks who value animals as much as you have expressed, have children? In my anecdotal experience, it seems that those who hold the above perspective, generally do not. Feel free to express yourself quite honestly as I enjoy a stimulating discourse and hope that you do as well.

 

[noop]

it's quite normal for people to anthroposomething their animals - to treat them like they are little people. i like my fish and i can see they have personalities but i don't feel the same way about them as i would a dog. and i wouldn't feel the same way about a dog as about my sister

one good thing about the love for/from an animal (i'm thinking dogs here, not fish) is that it is uncomplicated. you don't have to do anything for the animal and it'll still love you. there's no mind games

 

[wuvmybetta]

Do you folks who value animals as much as you have expressed, have children? In my anecdotal experience, it seems that those who hold the above perspective, generally do not. Feel free to express yourself quite honestly as I enjoy a stimulating discourse and hope that you do as well.

I do one kiddo

It's true that fish are by no means human...they're fish. And in the wild they would have fishy lives and do fishy things. No, they don't hussle and bustle the way the human race does but the are living things and they do have routine. My homeless guy comment was said a bit tongue in cheek...I'd at least throw a 5.00 bill to the homeless dude as I stepped over him. But...fish are living creatures and although they may not return the love and admiration that you would receive from a child, friend, or a dog or a cat they deserve to be housed and cared for.There are different degrees of love and fondness.

Now if you're implying that some people take their fishkeeping to the extreme when you say "replace human companionship for animal companionship" that would be a little hard to do with a fish. Some people are shut ins who are content to have 3,000 cats ...I dont think a fish could do that . But hey...what do I know, I could turn into the "crazy old lady down the street" in fifty years. Kids might run by my house crying "it's the crazy betta lady" I'll sit on my front porch and cackle and flare.

Back to my daughter, since day one I've tried to teach her the value & appreciation of life,for all living things. This is a kid who will sit and cry if you kill a spider rather than scooping it up and throwing it outside

 

[Abernathy]

Haha, I do that with spiders too! Even the ones with fat hairy bodies. To elaborate a little on my discussion, I believe some people value their pets more than humans simply because they are safe. No compromises, no backtalk, no betrayals, and on and on. And, when it comes right down to it, one can pretty much end their lives if you wanted, but that would be rather awful to do for no purpose.

 

[juliethegr8t]

But hey...what do I know, I could turn into the "crazy old lady down the street" in fifty years. Kids might run by my house crying "it's the crazy betta lady" I'll sit on my front porch and cackle and flare.

HAHAHA. Oh man wuv, we should have a little retirement apartment for ourselves, then we can have bettas in every window, and we can wear red ruffly coats special for flaring! It's much more fun to have TWO crazy betta ladies, the kids will give us double the wide berth from the porch... MUHAHAHA.