As someone who also follows the tech (read: nerd) world closely as well, I stumbled upon this piece in my daily news feed;
A TINY fish tank that doubles as a music speaker has sparked outrage among animal activists and aquarists. The iPond – up to 15 times smaller than the recommended tank size for the fish it contains – is proving a hit with Christmas shoppers. One Sydney store has sold out of the $70 device and other outlets are reporting brisk sales. But the RSPCA has called on the device to be banned because it is too small to provide fish with adequate oxygen supplies and a clean environment. The iPond is sold nationally by the Pets Paradise and Pet Goods Direct chains. Users can play their iPods through a speaker built into the bottom of the brick-shaped tank. The tank’s water capacity is about 650millilitres once rocks are placed in it. A Melbourne Aquarium spokesman said Siamese fighting fish required a minimum tank size of 10 litres – dramatically more than the iPond provides. [Source]
At the risk of sounding like a filthy hippy, I really do think that this kind of shit is cruel. 650ml is tiny. Some may say that it is only a fish, but I believe treatment of animals in this way is unacceptable. Using these fish as trendy decorative items at the expense of their welfare should not be tolerated, in my opinion. Of course many will disagree with that idea. Of course on the humorous side, there is Fake Steve’s take on it all ;
Check out the bad-ass little dude in the photo above, rocking out to some Slayer in his pimped-out iPond. Does he look unhappy? I don’t think so. FWIW, check out the fangs on that little motherfucker. He’d rip your face off if he got a chance. Do I worry about exposing these vicious heavy-metal-loving fish to some high-quality rock from the finest portable music player on the planet? No I do not. [Source]
Post your thoughts…
