'Cruel' Kmart fish tank sparks outrage among animal lovers
- Replies 4
It seems every store has its share of controversy, but when it comes to the welfare of living creatures, the stakes are particularly high.
Recently, Kmart found itself in hot water with animal advocates and concerned customers alike over a product that some feel is inadequate for pet fish.
The product in question is a 'small fish aquarium' with a capacity of just 3 litres, marketed as being 'suitable for betta fish'.
However, critics say this tiny tank falls significantly short of the recommended size for housing these fish and lacks the necessary filtration and heating equipment.
An Australian social media personality known online as Moth was the first to raise the alarm about this product.
'I was appalled to see this brand new item in their pet section,' Moth shared online.
'Living animals are not toys, they don't go into tanks that don't even meet the bare minimum size requirements—tanks that don't even have a filtration system or a heater.'
The RSPCA Knowledgebase, a trusted source of animal welfare information, stated that tanks for housing betta fish, also known as Siamese fighting fish, should be ‘at least 15 litres in volume', with an 'optimal size of 20 litres or greater'.
This is a stark contrast to the 3-litre capacity of the Kmart 'aquarium'.
The $15 'aquarium' is also USB-powered and features a 'colour-changing' LED light, a feature that Moth criticises heavily.
'So if the small tank size wasn't bad enough, you can turn your aquarium into a strobing night light toy,' Moth stated sarcastically.
'In what world is this okay?'
Moth also pointed out that Kmart does sell larger, more appropriate fish tanks that can accommodate a filtration system and heater.
The online community quickly expressed their shock and disappointment at the product.
'Kmart needs to do better. This is awful. Reminds me of people putting Betta fish in flower vases as living decorations. Gross,' one commenter said.
Another vowed to take action, writing, 'I'm going into Kmart with signs to put next to these saying animal cruelty.'
Some defended the product, arguing that they have seen similar small containers for betta fish in pet shops.
However, Moth explained that these tanks are either just as bad, or worse, than the ones at Kmart, or are only used for short-term stays and have large filtration systems running in the background.
The RSPCA emphasised that small tanks or fish bowls do not provide adequate space or a healthy environment for bettas, known to be 'intelligent and curious'.
'Small bowls do not meet the fish’s behavioural or physiological needs,' they shared online.
The Aquarium Factory's Beginners Guide to Siamese Fighting Fish debunks one of the most 'prevalent myths' about these fish: that they originate from and prefer to live in small puddles of water.
'This is a lie and has allowed many unethical pet stores to get away with selling betta fish in the tiny, cup-like tanks we all know too well,' they said.
You can watch the video here:
Source: TikTok/@mottenhunde
Betta fish require a tank of over 15 litres, an appropriate-sized filter with an adjustable flow, and proper heating to mimic their natural tropical climate.
Since Betta fish originate from ‘densely vegetated areas’, they also prefer a tank with several plants, real or artificial, or other forms of cover to explore, rest and hide if they feel threatened.
But despite choosing the right sizes for your pet’s home, weather conditions, particularly extreme heat, are beyond our control and bring suffering to our beloved pets.
In a previous story, a senior lecturer from the University of Queensland examined how climate change affects the welfare of animals and how we could help them. Learn more about the story here.
What do you think about this issue, members? Have you come across similar products that don't meet the needs of the animals they're intended for? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
Recently, Kmart found itself in hot water with animal advocates and concerned customers alike over a product that some feel is inadequate for pet fish.
The product in question is a 'small fish aquarium' with a capacity of just 3 litres, marketed as being 'suitable for betta fish'.
However, critics say this tiny tank falls significantly short of the recommended size for housing these fish and lacks the necessary filtration and heating equipment.
A small fish aquarium at Kmart was under fire online. Credit: @mottenhunde / TikTok
An Australian social media personality known online as Moth was the first to raise the alarm about this product.
'I was appalled to see this brand new item in their pet section,' Moth shared online.
'Living animals are not toys, they don't go into tanks that don't even meet the bare minimum size requirements—tanks that don't even have a filtration system or a heater.'
The RSPCA Knowledgebase, a trusted source of animal welfare information, stated that tanks for housing betta fish, also known as Siamese fighting fish, should be ‘at least 15 litres in volume', with an 'optimal size of 20 litres or greater'.
This is a stark contrast to the 3-litre capacity of the Kmart 'aquarium'.
The $15 'aquarium' is also USB-powered and features a 'colour-changing' LED light, a feature that Moth criticises heavily.
'So if the small tank size wasn't bad enough, you can turn your aquarium into a strobing night light toy,' Moth stated sarcastically.
'In what world is this okay?'
Moth also pointed out that Kmart does sell larger, more appropriate fish tanks that can accommodate a filtration system and heater.
The online community quickly expressed their shock and disappointment at the product.
'Kmart needs to do better. This is awful. Reminds me of people putting Betta fish in flower vases as living decorations. Gross,' one commenter said.
Another vowed to take action, writing, 'I'm going into Kmart with signs to put next to these saying animal cruelty.'
Some defended the product, arguing that they have seen similar small containers for betta fish in pet shops.
However, Moth explained that these tanks are either just as bad, or worse, than the ones at Kmart, or are only used for short-term stays and have large filtration systems running in the background.
The RSPCA emphasised that small tanks or fish bowls do not provide adequate space or a healthy environment for bettas, known to be 'intelligent and curious'.
'Small bowls do not meet the fish’s behavioural or physiological needs,' they shared online.
The Aquarium Factory's Beginners Guide to Siamese Fighting Fish debunks one of the most 'prevalent myths' about these fish: that they originate from and prefer to live in small puddles of water.
'This is a lie and has allowed many unethical pet stores to get away with selling betta fish in the tiny, cup-like tanks we all know too well,' they said.
You can watch the video here:
Source: TikTok/@mottenhunde
Betta fish require a tank of over 15 litres, an appropriate-sized filter with an adjustable flow, and proper heating to mimic their natural tropical climate.
Since Betta fish originate from ‘densely vegetated areas’, they also prefer a tank with several plants, real or artificial, or other forms of cover to explore, rest and hide if they feel threatened.
But despite choosing the right sizes for your pet’s home, weather conditions, particularly extreme heat, are beyond our control and bring suffering to our beloved pets.
In a previous story, a senior lecturer from the University of Queensland examined how climate change affects the welfare of animals and how we could help them. Learn more about the story here.
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