Targeting goldfish trick will not help to protect animals

A magic trick in which an illusionist commanded six goldfish to swim synchronized patterns in a shallow pool won much applause at CCTV's annual Spring Festival Gala a few weeks back.

The performance made magician Fu Yandong an overnight star. Yet, it also attracted the attention of several animal rights activists, who immediately suspected the showman of mistreating the creatures involved in his act.

I actually watched the gala on the night and didn't at any point get the feeling that these lovely fish were being tortured. On the contrary, I thought it was a wonderful show, one full of surprises. I'd bet the majority of the studio audience felt the same way, otherwise why else would they have given it such a response at the end?