Why do most people NOT consider fish - pets?

[BunnyCates]

I am curious about this. Why is it most people don't consider fish 'pets'?

With my sick fish ordeal - I've been told I was CRAZY for worrying about "a fish". That I shouldnt be spending money on meds for him. and that I should just flush him and get a new one.

And now that he's passed, people seem surprised I am upset over it. OF COURSE IM UPSET!

I posted on facebook last night that I was sad that Fishelstein had passed away, and someone replied with "mmm.. instant sushi" Not only is that insensitive - it's just RUDE! So I unfriended the person. Ya know? It wasn't anyone I know IRL, anyway and I sure would rather not deal with people like that! They then PM'd me on FB to ask why I unfriended them, that it was just a joke - etc. And told me to grow up, it was "just a fish" and they'd buy me 20 more if it would stop me from whining. What the crap?!

[Luimeril]

it's because for years, they were disposable. first pets, easily replaced. Just a dollar or so. :T

[Myrtaceae]

Fish are definitely one of those things people 'get' or they don't.

As for the sushi comment, people who aren't very funny on their own (or having nothing else to say) will recycle old jokes and not think about it. It's never okay to be rude about the death of someone's pet though; no matter what it is. I have a personal vendetta against hamsters, but that's not something that needs to be mentioned to a grieving owner.

The best we can hope for is the people who think fish are decorations don't get them. Whenever I hear someone mention getting a fish, I always start talking about how much work they are. Not in a totally negative way, but dropping enough comments to suggest that there is research to be done 'e.g. what are you using to cycle the tank?' or something.

I think it is getting better. I came back from a few years away from the hobby and both of my local chain pet stores have improved a bit.

[trilobite]

I guess because all you can really do is look at them. You cant touch them or play with them like a "real" pet. And because they are so cheap and easy to replace.
They aren't really considered to be members of the family like a dog or cat would be and therefore people dont tend to build emotional attachments to them.

[purplemuffin]

A lot of people think a pet has to 'give something back'---Fish don't purr. They don't wag their tails with joy. We say they dance for us, but they are really just trying to get to food. We do get something from our fish though--we get joy just from the fact that they are healthy and strong. We love to take care of them. Many people are not quite this selfless, and need a pet who can play with them and wag their tails. That's just what some people view a pet as!

[Sena Hansler]

because they "do not have emotions" they "cannot do math" they "have nothing to give back". all quoted from people who scoffed at my fish keeping. They can turn and flush it down the toilet because it doesn't yelp, cry out in pain, they cannot cuddle, they "don't love you back". There are also very many people who see ANY animal as disposable. "I'm tired of this pony I want another." "I don't like this dog he bit me (after pulling his tail) I don't want him." It's just the sad truth.

Well, as for me my bettas do tricks. They are smart enough to comprehend "do this get food". Spartan, you could put your hand in his tank and he'd come over and sit in your hand. and when people who own fish actually see the suffering the fish goes through when they have dropsy, or ich, or cancer... and compare it to "how would I feel if I was itchy, bloated, dying?" they give the fish a reason, a purpose, a name, a life.

[phanphan1]

Thats aweful! Im sorry. Some people just dont know how the things they say will affect others. So sorry about your fishy :(

[Sena Hansler]

Some people also know how things they say affect people :( and use it to their advantage, because "fish are stupid" which makes me in turn want to tell them they are dumber than my fish, since they lack social skills >.> but I don't. because I'm not a righteous butt.

and thanks to them I don't care what people say

[Oldfishlady]

We understand and so you always have us and this site...."we get it"......some more than others with lots of passion for our scaly friends..."wet-pets".....around here.....

[Alienchick017]

I get the "its just a fish" all the time from my family but they are the type that also believe "its just a dog" and "its just a cat". Its frustrating but more sad than anything for people to feel that way about other living creatures :(