decor obviously isnt enough stimulation compared to the wild but most fish are captive bred and are grown and use to the stuff we put in the tanks, i'm personally not a fan of bare bottom, a nice hiding spot and some gravel i feel isnt hard to provide. would you rather be in a glass cage with nothing it or a glass cage with a couple toys
Bare tanks
- Thread starter ehh
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A good deal of satisfaction for me is observing the interaction between fish and their environment. Bare tank = no environment to interact with. Try breeding fish in a bare tank. It rarely happens and if it does, it's a testimonial to how much deprivation fish will tolerate. Behaviorially speaking, a fish in a bare tank has nothing but its owner to react to. How much time are you willing to put in entertaining your fish? It's absolutely amazing how normal fish behavior is enhanced and promoted by a stimulating environment, which may be nothing more than a substrate, driftwood, rocks, and plants. And they don't need a fully natural setting like "in the wild" to bring out the fishes' best behaviors. For fish, a little goes a long way. But they need something more than water, heat and food. I believe that a fish in a bare tank is experiencing sensory deprivation. Not that I don't put fish in bare tanks. When treating a sick fish, or quarantining I do, but in that case, you need to control the conditions. And hopefully it is for the short term. I think for humans, four bare walls is called a jail cell.
I am certainly not disagreeing, but some fish such as discus and angels are bred exclusively in bare tanks for optimum water condition over all else. I dont think there is a right or wrong way, but each fish's needs must be taken into consideration and they are different in regards to decoration
I think if the primary concern is the comfort of the owner, then fish should be kept in spartan tanks. Easy. Look at how some people raise their kids or pets. So there is no reason whatsoever fish can't be raised without any concern for a natural environment.
I think there is ample evidence that it isn't best for them however. Some need cover, some need substrate, some need shelter, and while it's possible to raise them without most of their needs, it certainly isn't best for them.
I think there is ample evidence that it isn't best for them however. Some need cover, some need substrate, some need shelter, and while it's possible to raise them without most of their needs, it certainly isn't best for them.
