Timren

38 minutes ago, Franz said:

As someone who keeps fish in aquaria, and have done for 25 years, I can tell you this is definitely NOT illegal.  This fish looks healthy, a fine specimen, and the tank also looks healthy - clear water, appropriate equipment in use, etc etc.

HOWEVER - it is common to see large fish in display aquaria like this, and they can, and do, out-grow their tanks.  If large fish are kept in a glass box that is too small, they will suffer more disease, shorter lifespan and the question of cruelty certainly does (and should) come up.

Now, how big is this tank?  If the notice about "Please do not touch the glass ..." is printed on A4 paper (my assumption), then this tank is actually 8 FT long, which is quite a decent sized tank.  (In a large warehouse space, size of tank can be deceptively large.)  The depth of the tank (water height) is 2.5 FT.  Most (but certainly not all) tanks are square if you look them on the end, so this would be 2.5 FT wide also, or about 75 cms.  In the photo you posted, it is rather hard to see, but it could potentially be wider, e.g. 3 ft or 90cms, or even more.

The criterion for tank size in this sort of situation is making sure the fish has plenty of room to turn around.  A common rule of thumb is that the width of the tank is at least twice the length of the biggest fish.  It is usually the width of the tank, rather than the length, that violates the guidelines on fishkeeping.  With my assumptions above, for a 50cms fish, this tank is on or just below the guidelines, so it is starting to outgrow this tank.  Fish grow very slowly as they age, so it could be a number of years before it becomes a serious issue.

But this example is very far from the worst I've seen, and may even still (just) meet guidelines.  Note these are guidelines for healthy fishkeeping and NOT laws.

 

Thank you for this! Great info 

As hard as it is to know would this fish feel imprisoned in this tank? Or be unhappy with it, it seemed highly agitated and upset when we saw it 

again no nothing about fish lol

2 minutes ago, Another Wazza said:

Hi Timren, I’m not too sure what you were hoping to achieve here?

 

It appears your mind was already made up before posting.

Do you share the same concern for goldfish kept in bowls?, or is it only Australian natives you wish to liberate?

Mind def not made up, as the post reads after some insight into if this is at all cruel, I know nothing about fish and I don’t fish so hence why I’m asking here lol. I don’t like the idea of anything being contained, caught and killed humane that’s all good, the thing just looks way to big for it (to me) & I was concerned that’s it. If it’s fine & happy that’s great

51 minutes ago, Old Scaley said:

As someone who really, really, really enjoys hooking a fish in the corner of the mouth and dragging it around the ocean until it is nearly exhausted then pulling it out of the water and sticking a sharp object into its brain before whipping a couple of fillets off it and coating them in bread crumbs and having them for dinner, I think it would be hypocritical of me to comment on fish cruelty.  Maybe I have a problem?

Haha I still think that’s a better way to go then being stuck in a 5 foot tank for its years until death  probably posting in the wrong place when majority don’t have any care to a fish’s well-being

3 minutes ago, Another Wazza said:

He’s living a luxurious life, looks to be well fed, and in good condition

Wouldn’t say luxurious lol. It’s a big fish that should be in the wild 

41 minutes ago, Tuna are fish said:

the size of the tanks seems fine for the fish.  i think it would be the same as having one as a pet so im not sure if it would be classed as cruel.

Really? I guess I just feel for it being able to do nothing all day long compared to roaming the Murray

Hi All, after some insight on Murray cod & if this is any bit cruel to the fish. 
Down at garden world in Melb they have a 4-6ft tank that has about a 50cm Murray cod inside. Apparently been there for a few years. His not for sale, purely for show. Just wondering if this sort of thing is cruel or wrong to be keeping him there for no purpose. Bored out of its brain following everyone who goes past. 
is this even allowed ? Or should anything be done ? 

cheers