A London nightclub favoured by Hollywood actress Margot Robbie is embroiled in an animal rights row over its resident fish.
Infernos, best known for its sticky carpets and cheesy pop anthems, has been forced to rehome dozens of tropical fish that had inhabited a large tank next to its dancefloor for more than a decade.
The Clapham High Street venue has welcomed late-night revellers to South London since the 1980s including the Barbie actress, who said it was among her favourite haunts when she lived locally.
“By the time I make it to Infernos, I look so revolting that nobody’s going to look twice,” Robbie, now 33, told The Sunday Times in 2016.
But the venue found itself at odds with animal rights campaigners last month after one clubgoer posted a video of the fish to TikTok that included the caption: “No matter how bad your life is, just remember you’re not a fish living at Infernos”.
After the clip went viral with more than a million views, the club was accused of “animal cruelty” for keeping the fish in a loud environment with some online commentators encouraging people to spam Infernos with emails demanding they be rehomed.
Others took to websites such as Trip-Advisor to leave one-star reviews for the club, citing animal welfare, with one writing: “Hard to have a good time when you watch a hundred sad fish in a tiny tank slowly go insane.”
Weeks after the row broke out, Infernos announced it had scrapped its fish tank and rehomed the marine life following an “influx” of messages.
A spokesman for the nightclub told The Telegraph: “The Infernos fish have been a much-loved and well cared for part of our team for many years now.
“But an influx of recent concern led us to a safe and successful re-homing mission back in November. We are delighted to confirm that they are extremely happy in their new environment. They will be sorely missed by all of us here who cared for them.”
It is not known where the fish have been relocated or whether they have been separated.
The RSPCA said it shared the concerns of TikTok users, saying the “bright lights, loud music and large numbers of people” make bars and nightclubs an unsuitable environment for any animal.
A spokesman said “We have serious concerns for the welfare of any animals used in a bar or nightclub environment, which is not a suitable place for any animal.
“The RSPCA is concerned about the welfare of animals in entertainment. The society does not endorse the use of animals in any form of entertainment, but if approached we will offer advice which aims to ensure animals use are free from pain, injury, suffering and that any impact on their welfare minimised to an acceptable degree.”
However, some animal welfare experts suggested that fish should be able to cope with music.
Donald Broom, a professor of animal welfare at the University of Cambridge, said that, while fish are sentient beings, they can get used to certain noises.
“Fish can hear a range of sounds and they also have a sense – that humans do not have – which detects localised pressure changes in water,” he said. “They can learn well and have the capacity to habituate to frequently heard sounds.
“Very sudden and very loud sounds are likely to be more disturbing to fish in a tank.” However, the sounds of loud music would probably be much less disturbing than people banging on the glass wall of the tank. Banging would cause a substantial vibration transmitted rapidly in the water throughout the tank.
“This would be frightening to the fish as it would be difficult for them to predict what will happen next and whether or not it is dangerous to them.”
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December 31, 2023
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Infernos nightclub in London rehomes fish after animal rights backlash - The Telegraph
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