“Fish Are Friends, Not Food”

Monday, December 17, 2007

By Tymesia Brown, Langley High School (City of Pittsburgh Schools)

    Regardless of how bizarre it sounds, fish discrimination does exist. For example, when your fish dies, you simply flush it on its way to toilet Heaven without giving it a care in the world. You don’t think twice. It was only five dollars at the local pet store. It was only a fish. Nevertheless, when a dog dies, do you flush it down the drain? How about a family member or a loved one? You may say that it is not the same; however, meet the people who beg to differ, the people who would not dare to give up on a fish without at first properly medicating it: they are the Fish Surgeons.
    The technology of the future has become more advanced as time has passed by. The veterinary field, which used to be restricted to health care for only cats, dogs, and horses, has broadly expanded to the treatment of various fish, especially koi, carp, and household goldfish. This has come as a relief to many fish lovers since fish succumb to many illnesses. Not only do they suffer ailments specific to their species such as buoyancy disorders (where they can actually float upside down), but they also endure many diseases that humans undergo. Yes, fish get herpes too.
    The fantastic, out of the ordinary study of fish health care is one that is not only new to doctors, but also very unheard of. When asked about this unique and remarkable practice, many people have the same response; “What?!? Doctors actually operate on and try to save fish?!” and then shrug their shoulders and shake their heads in disbelief. Perhaps some enlightenment on the history of this science will help prevent the common skepticism. While the foundations of this exclusive field were being forged during the past decade, the actual surgeries that doctors performed on fish were used only on valuable creatures; luxurious prize fish. Many collectors of these “show fish” were upset that their expensive, rare pets were dying or suffering. They had ambitions to seek surgeons to correct their fish, but merely for the sake of money. In more recent times, fish have become beloved household pets, perhaps as much as a dog or cat, and the owners of these sickly fish would seek doctors, not for money or prestige, but out of love for their marine friends. To some people fish are, in essence, friends, not food.
    However, fixing Nemo is not as easy as it may seem. These doctors are schooled for several years on the treatment of aquatic life. They often help with the removal of tumors, the repair of the swim bladder (which regulates how a fish floats), and the removal of a severely damaged eye (or enucleation). The medical procedures themselves are not the biggest fear for the surgeons. Maintaining the fish’s natural environment is usually the most difficult part, for operating underwater is a skill that is most complex. Typically, water is splashed over the scales of the animal for spaying, neutering, or other procedures that do not last very long. On the other hand, for extended medical processes, things get more and more complicated, as the longer the fish is out of water the more it acts like a fish out of water. Oftentimes the fish are sedated to prevent flipping. There are even times when these fish surgeons must become fish psychologists because, similar to humans, fish experience anxiety and sleep disorders after being snatched from their marine havens and poked and prodded by giants.
    The fish surgeons, after unsuccessful surgeries, would never flush a fish; a friend. Instead they give them “mini-funerals” or donate the corpse to research and studies. They do not discriminate against these fish for simply being fish. They love them and protect them; save them and correct them. And why not save fish? They are quiet, peaceful animals which one may come to love if given a chance. Moreover, they are exceptionally smart.  Well, of course they are. After all, they live in schools!