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

Research paper

Kristie E. Cameron, Rochelle Johnson and Laura Harvey

Affiliations:
School of Environmental and Animal Sciences, Unitec, Mt Albert, New Zealand
* corresponding author: Kristie Cameron

Received: 19 August 2024 | Accepted: 4 October 2024 | Published: Pending
Associate Editor: Kristina Naden
https://doi.org/10.34074/piahw.003102

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Abstract

This study describes ornamental fish ownership in New Zealand, focusing on attitudes towards veterinary care and fish welfare. With 9% of households in New Zealand and 12% in Australia having aquariums with up to eight fish, knowledge of fish husbandry and ability to provide for welfare is an important consideration for 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 versus other pets like 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 expertise barriers by veterinary professionals. 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 their environment, the study recommends that improving fish welfare requires providing access to information that reflects value-based disparities between mammalian and aquatic pets.