Man Who Installed Shark Tank In His Living Room Hits Back At People Who Say It's Animal Cruelty

Credit: TikTok/@thegyplife_aus

A Tiktoker who put in a massive shark tank at his house has retaliated against people who have called it "animal cruelty."

The Australian TikToker @thegyp_aus frequently posts videos of the sharks in his living tank as he feeds and cleans it.

In the most popular of his videos, which has more than 40 million views, he adds a 14-inch Port Jackson shark to the tank as another fish swims toward it.

Credit: TikTok/@thegyplife_aus

The shark escapes after being warned for trying to eat the four-inch-long Bumblebee grouper.

There are currently 11 sharks living in the 5,200-gallon tank: a black-tip reef shark, two white-tip reef sharks measuring four feet long, two Port Jackson sharks, three epaulet sharks, two banjo sharks, and one bamboo shark.

The tank is also home to rays and moray eels, among other marine creatures.

This individual spent almost $327,000 [£171, 706] on the setup, which was undoubtedly amazing.

Unsurprisingly, he cares deeply about the animals he keeps and denies accusations that keeping them in the tank is cruel.

The TikToker, who wished to remain anonymous, said: "People are quick to criticize. Yet these people are hypocrites who go to zoos and pay money to see animals in cages.”

"Jealousy is a curse. Yet it brings me a lot of views as the same people who provide negative comments, share the videos, and follow my socials so secretly, they can't wait to see my next video or my latest live video."

A marine mammal scientist openly expressed her strong disapproval of his personal project.

Naomi Rose told Insider: "This is a vanity project, having nothing to do with the fish and sharks themselves.”

"That's too many fish and sharks in a space that size. Just watching them bank and turn as they try to swim around clearly demonstrates how they are trying to cope with a space that isn't big enough for them and their swimming habits."

Rose has advised viewers to quit watching his TikTok videos, saying: "This is not a person who wants to do anything in a vacuum. They want attention. People shouldn't give it to them, because when they do, the fish suffer."

Online, content like this has sparked diverse responses. Some people find it fascinating, while others criticize it as harsh.

Your aquarium is incredible! One viewer pleaded in the comments section of one of his TikTok videos, "I could stare at this all day.”

Another concerned commenter wrote: "This is way too small for these sharks. please get a way bigger one."