KUALA LUMPUR: In a move that has both intrigued and outraged social media users, a Malaysian couple has introduced an unconventional twist to wedding door gifts.
A video shared by X user @mhmmdhsm has gone viral, showcasing a wedding guest registration table adorned with large plastic bags filled with colourful Betta fish, or better known as fighting fish.
The video, which was captioned "A one-of-a-kind door gift. Cost saving," showed a few big red plastic bags containing smaller bags, each filled with water, air and some multicolor fighting fish.
These fighting fish are normally kept individually to avoid them from striking or attacking each other.
Although they are small in size and hardly grow very big, they are known for their feisty nature.
In terms of price, they can range from RM2 to RM30 depending on their breed, color, and fin type.
While the intent behind this unique gift was likely to stand out and offer something memorable, it has sparked significant backlash online.
Critics on social media have labeled the gesture as a form of animal cruelty and expressed concerns over the practicality of such a gift.
Many of them argued that betta fish require more space and care than a small plastic bag can provide.
While the gesture certainly stands out, it raises questions about the balance between making a memorable impression and ensuring the welfare of living creatures.
One commenter highlighted, "I pity the fish. "Many think that it is easy to look after and put it in a small aquarium or bowl. Actually, they need a spacious environment to thrive."
Another user criticised the idea, suggesting that the majority of fish might not survive due to the lack of proper care: "Stupid idea. Doing weird things to become viral.
I am confident that not more than five per cent of the fish will survive more than two weeks if given to people with no interest and knowledge in caring for them, such as children."
The post has been viewed more than 800,000 times on X since it was posted on Sept 8.