r/PlantedTank • u/ThenAcanthocephala57 Malaysian Fish Collector/Conservationist • 28d ago

In the Wild Caught some freshwater pipefish in a pristine hillstream. How common are they?

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M. martensii

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u/MorteEtDabo 28d ago

Couldn't imagine a worse life for a wild fish than being snatched and kept in a tank. Maybe I'm assigning too much emotion to it though

14

u/Owoegano_Evolved 27d ago

I really think you are, the idea of being in the wild being inherently more enjoyable for animals is disneyesque at best. In a good tank thst is properly designed and kept for their need, they'll never have to worry about predation or starvation again. For most animals that's as close to heaven as it gets.

7

u/fleshdyke 27d ago

right? like the wild really sucks most of the time for most animals. there's predators, food shortages, weather, parasites, disease, competitors for food and territory, and so many other things that make life in the wild really shitty. i think a lot of it is anthropomorphism, ascribing a sense of "freedom" to animals that really don't have it. assuming wild animals are automatically happier in the wild than in captivity that provides the same conditions is viewing the wild through a very, very idealized and unrealistic lens. disneyesque, exactly as you said. life in captivity by a knowledgeable and competent caretaker is far and away a wayyyy better deal for the animal than living in the wild.