Animal Lovers -- Is this unethical?

Yes, it is unethical.  It is equivalent of keeping a dog in a crate 24-7 and only cleaning it once a week.  Goldfish have a lifespan of about 20 years and can get up to a foot long.  In bowls, they will not live that long or grow that big because they are stunted.  That includes their organs as well, so, in the long run they will suffer from decreased life span.  I am an aquatics specialist at Petco and have had aquariums for a long time.  I have a goldfish tank, a tropical community, and a nano-reef tank right now.  I won't even sell goldfish if they are going to live in a bowl. 

Dogs can live on a chain in the backyard and survive on Ol'Roy too, but we would never do that. 

I just want everyone to know that we weren't planning on doing it, and still aren't, I just wanted to put it out there for discussion, cause I knew people would have opinions.

Thanks for sharing.

Here's the thing - I'm sure most people here wouldn't be advocating having a puppy in a crate as a centerpiece or a kitten as a centerpiece to be given away. 

I know most people don't really seem to get this, but fish are living, breathing creatures with special needs that must be met for a good life - same as dogs and cats.  They are not put on this earth to decorate your life.

I think it's very wrong.  Most people won't know how to care for the fish.  And seriously folks - goldfish bowls for goldfish are downright cruel. 

People really need to visit this site to find out how to properly care for their fish:

http://www.thegab.org

 And please don't tell me how you had a goldfish in a bowl that was fine for 10 years.  You know things used to be different for dogs too and now that we are more knowelgeable most of us raise our dogs differently than our parents or grandparents did (think rubbing nose in pee - alpha rolls, etc)

 alieza, I am glad to see you decided against it.  Bless you.  AND HAPPY NUPTIALS!!!!!

huskymom

Dogs can live on a chain in the backyard and survive on Ol'Roy too, but we would never do that. 

You took the words out of my, er, keyboard.  Yeah.  That ^ ^