Ornamental aquatic trade body OATA has issued new advice to members regarding enrichment such as plants or ornaments in shop tanks, following queries from local authority inspectors during animal activity licensing visits.
The organisation’s Primary Authority partner the City of London Corporation has advised that it is not a requirement to have enrichment in tanks displaying fish for sale because of the potential for harm to the fish when it is captured for sale.
However, the opportunity to hide may be necessary for some species of fish, and so shop staff must be able to identify when this is required. In addition, if fish are kept for longer than three months, or are in a permanent display, then there is a need for species-appropriate enrichment in the tank.
This advice can by used by OATA member businesses based in England should they get queries from their local authority inspector about this issue.
