Fish Cosmetic Surgery - Your Opinion

I know a lot of people operate on large show fish such as Asian arrowanas. I'm not talking about saving it from a disease or other harmful ailments; I mean when people operate on them for cosmetic purposes (dropeye, imperfections on fins, scales etc.)

Personally, I have no problem with it AS LONG AS it's helping the fish. In the instance of dropeye, for example, that is affecting the fish's ability to see and it may starve and/or be picked on. If it doesn't affect the fish so much, such as the fins being slightly changed to suit the owner, I do think that is wrong.

What do you think?

 

I agree with you. I have another example. There are many bettas with such overly bred massive fins that it affects their quality of life, that I wouldn't mind trimming them off and making them look like a plakat betta instead. I'd still like for it to look neat at least.

 

I think it's acceptable most of the time, like with arowanas, those are very expensive fish just for their looks, so I think the owner should be able to mainipulate the looks, IF they know what they're doing. Ex, sedate the fish. If it's a surgery that's going to hurt, sedate it.
For show quality fish, I think it's fine, I'm not saying it's not fine in other fish, but non-showpiece fish/ centerpiece fish generally aren't worth the risk and stress of cosmetic surgery.
But if you're trying to bedazzle your fish or something, eh, probably not the best.

 

I agree with you. I have another example. There are many bettas with such overly bred massive fins that it affects their quality of life, that I wouldn't mind trimming them off and making them look like a plakat betta instead. I'd still like for it to look neat at least.

In reality, that would create a bigger issue. It would cause infections, fin rot, more stress, sapronalgia, ich and other things that could ultimately kill the fish. Plus the fins would grow back.

 

In reality, that would create a bigger issue. It would cause infections, fin rot, more stress, sapronalgia, ich and other things that could ultimately kill the fish. Plus the fins would grow back.

This is why you should know what you are doing first, be aware of the risks and know what to do after the procedure (super clean water, maybe an antisceptic to go along with it). As long as the fish is happy after, I don't see why not?

 

This is why you should know what you are doing first, be aware of the risks and know what to do after the procedure (super clean water, maybe an antisceptic to go along with it). As long as the fish is happy after, I don't see why not?

The operation will cause stress; I personally don't think it's right to 'edit' the fish just because of a minor/superficial flaw.Bettas with long fins should just be given 5+ gallon tanks with low flow.

 

The operation will cause stress; I personally don't think it's right to 'edit' the fish just because of a minor/superficial flaw.Bettas with long fins should just be given 5+ gallon tanks with low flow.

I would do it because I'd still want him to be swimming around freely rather than wasting his life away doing nothing. That's just my opinion.

 

I would do it because I'd still want him to be swimming around freely rather than wasting his life away doing nothing. That's just my opinion.

The fins will grow back though.

 

The fins will grow back though.

At least it would take a while before it comes back. After having the chance to swim around, I'd hope he start nipping his own fins.

 

Agree to disagree

 

I'd have to say it has to do with the circumstances. If a fish is having issues swimming due to large fins or some other ailment, then it'd be okay as long as it is performed in a clean and professional way - otherwise, no. To cut a fish's fins/tail/scales/face etc. for a show competition, it is not okay. I understand they do not feel pain in the same way, it still may affect the fish in harmful ways.

 

I confess...

 

only if the fish pays for it.

 

only if the fish pays for it.

The nutella?

 

This is why you should know what you are doing first, be aware of the risks and know what to do after the procedure (super clean water, maybe an antisceptic to go along with it). As long as the fish is happy after, I don't see why not?

Get a Plakat. Getting a longfin betta and then trimming the fins makes no sense. Besides, it’s stressful and could cause other problems. This isn’t at all like a haircut.

 

The nutella?

I haven't had nutella in so long. don't tempt me. I used to eat it right out of the jar.

tbh i've never heard of cosmetic surgery for fish before. i'm not sure I want to look it up. i'm guessing it's sort of like docking dobermans, maybe sometimes less extreme? I mean I know how they breed fish and other animals to look a certain way and breed for the exploitation of certain mutations/deformities, like what they did with bettas.

if whatever they're "fixing" or removing is detrimental to the fish somehow, and fixing it would improve its quality of life, then yeah. but then it wouldn't 100% be cosmetic surgery. like, fish insurance would probably cover it (jk). but then again, at the same time, it's also like... give the ones with deformities and such a chance? just because they aren't able-bodied or normalized or whatever doesn't mean they need to be corrected. IDK! it's late and I can't decide. my head is all fuzzy. I deserve some nutella.

 

I haven't had nutella in so long. don't tempt me. I used to eat it right out of the jar.

tbh i've never heard of cosmetic surgery for fish before. i'm not sure I want to look it up. i'm guessing it's sort of like docking dobermans, maybe sometimes less extreme? I mean I know how they breed fish and other animals to look a certain way and breed for the exploitation of certain mutations/deformities, like what they did with bettas.

if whatever they're "fixing" or removing is detrimental to the fish somehow, and fixing it would improve its quality of life, then yeah. but then it wouldn't 100% be cosmetic surgery. like, fish insurance would probably cover it (jk). but then again, at the same time, it's also like... give the ones with deformities and such a chance? just because they aren't able-bodied or normalized or whatever doesn't mean they need to be corrected. IDK! it's late and I can't decide. my head is all fuzzy. I deserve some nutella.

Personally I don't agree with it although I have a Betta with long fins I couldn't imagine cutting them off, how could that not hurt him

 

When you're fixing something either from a birth defect or from people taking genetics too far, that's no longer cosmetic surgery. That's corrective surgery. So cosmetic surgery can't really qualify as benefiting a fish in any way.

 

can we ad the option ham on toast please reduces chances of being a suicide bomber by 100%

Back to the real question. I would disagree as I'd imagine would be painful plus I believe fins would grow back I would opt for breeds with the traits your after like docking tail off a rottweiler lots of nerve endings and painful love every fish there all unique in there own way just like us or start a breeding project to breed the trait your after but this will be a very very long process

 

When you're fixing something either from a birth defect or from people taking genetics too far, that's no longer cosmetic surgery. That's corrective surgery. So cosmetic surgery can't really qualify as benefiting a fish in any way.

Take the damaged fins example. It will:

A) potentially affect the fish's ability to swim
B) Make the fish look 'bad'

It can be both.

 

I have done cosmetic surgery on my angels. Quite a number of times, such as fins grew out weird - like bent fins -, or in one instance the ventral grew into this tumor like clump. I chopped it off, and in all instances, the fins grew back normally.

I've heard of people cutting fins of their betta before, its more common than one would think. The betta would struggle to swim, but once fins were cut they were able to swim without issue. In that instance, I fully support their decision, otherwise if you just want a plakat... get a plakat.


The only cosmetic surgery I have an issue with is the heart shaped parrot cichlids that's meant to be really popular overseas. Purposely removing the tail so the fish becomes 'heart shaped' is just cruel and wrong.... otherwise, its your fish... you know it better than the rest of us and as long as one understands the risks and able to do so in a safe environment, what's the issue?

 

Just to throw a monkey wrench into the works, many years ago a friend of mine was accused of trimming his Betta's fins for a show. Showing has very strict standards, and the shape of the fins is quite important. It was known to happen, though I am certain my friend did not do it, as his fish were of extremely high quality (IBC Betta Man of the Year for three years in a row, as I recall).

There are occasions when some sort of surgery is needed to save the life and health of a fish, but to modify it purely for appearance is unethical and inhumane.