Talk of the town：Enough of spheres for fish
【明報專訊】According to Reuters, French aquarium vendor AgroBiothers Laboratoire announced in January 2022 that it is boycotting aquariums with a capacity of less than 15 litres and round fish bowls, selling only rectangular ones. The company said that putting fish in small bowls without filtration and oxygenation is animal abuse.
Goldfish can live up to 30 years and grow to about 25 cm in large aquariums or outdoor ponds, but in tiny environments they usually die within weeks or months. CEO Matthieu Lambeaux told Reuters that goldfish are social animals that need the company of other fish, space and clean water, not to mention that swimming around repeatedly drives them mad. He added that many people buy goldfish for children ''on impulse'' without considering the implications of properly raising one. Instead of seeing goldfish grow healthily, the harsh reality is often seeing them die slowly.
There will always be people who act before they think in pet-buying, which is why Lambeaux said that they cannot explain to every single customer that keeping fish in a bowl is cruel. However, he feels that they are responsible for no longer giving people that choice. Germany and some European countries banned fish bowls long before this, but France is not one of them. Fish are often seen as simple pets, but having an aquarium actually requires some equipment and expertise. The checklist includes a stand, a heater, a thermometer, an air pump, proper nutrition, and it does not stop there. It is a much bigger project than a simple round tank. Think before you buy!
■Game
Do you know the anatomy of a fish? Match the words with the letters.
(See the picture)
■Gear up
1. The French aquarium vendor no longer sells fish tanks.(True/False)
2. Putting goldfish in a tiny tank with filtration and oxygenation is acceptable. (True/False)
(Answers on next text)
■Glossary
filtration (n) 過濾
oxygenation (n) 加氧
impulse (n) 衝動
anatomy (n) 解剖構造
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[Smarties' Power English 第340期]
