An illustrious panel, but I would particularly like to thank Jonathan Balcombe, whose books have been an inspiration. As a result of reading What a Fish Knows, I have been trying to pressure pet supply shops such as PetValu and PetSmart to stop selling betta fish in those tiny little plastic cups. (At least one PetValu store refuses to sell them on ethical grounds, however, and also chooses not to sell harsh dog training products such as dog collars.)
Do you know where the Pet Valu store is located? I complain to my local Pet Valu about the Beta fish too & would like to be able to tell them there is a Pet Valu out there that refuses to sell them.
I don't know if I'll ever get past the "ick factor" that AI brings, but imagine how people's feelings about fishes will change when it interprets the various sounds Jonathan Balcombe describes them making. I have shared trained goldfishes videos that I've found on RU-vid to dispel the idea they have a 5 second memory. You can even buy commercial kits that are mini versions of the agility courses dogs run through. I'm not advocating for keeping fishes for "pets", but there are a helluva lotta them out there in need of rescue and all the better if you can stimulate their minds and enrich their environment while in your care. This message approved by Bob and Russ, The Gang of Fins subsidiary of The Gang of Fur.