Ornamental fish ownership in New Zealand: Attitudes toward veterinary care and welfare considerations

This study describes ornamental fish ownership in Aotearoa / New Zealand, focusing on attitudes towards veterinary care and fish welfare. With 9% of households here and 12% in Australia having aquariums with up to eight fish, knowledge of fish husbandry and ability to provide for welfare are important considerations in a growing industry. Utilising an online survey of 58 respondents, the study findings indicate that while fish owners exhibit greater knowledge of fish care compared to non-owners, there is a difference in the perceived value of fish in comparison to other pets such as cats and dogs. Respondents with fish are more likely to seek information from non-veterinary sources due to limited availability of specialised fish veterinary care, which is attributed to veterinary expertise barriers. The findings highlight a gap in the provision of veterinary services for fish, underscoring the need for enhanced education and training for veterinary professionals in aquatic medicine. As fish are often valued less as individuals and more in terms of the aquarium environment, the study recommends that improving fish welfare requires providing access to information that reflects value-based disparities between mammalian and aquatic pets.