When we think about animal talent in film and television, our minds often go straight to dogs, cats, horses or even birds. But some of the most visually striking animal performers can be found underwater, or swimming around in a carefully designed aquarium.
Fish can play an important role in commercials, feature films, television dramas, music videos, photography and editorial campaigns. From a single goldfish in a child’s bedroom to a beautifully constructed tropical aquarium in the background of a commercial, fish can add atmosphere, colour and storytelling to a production. Productions we’ve recently worked on that have included fancy swimmers include tropical fish for BT and goldfish for United Utilities.
At The Animal Talent Ltd, we understand that filming with fish requires a very different approach from working with dogs or other land-based animal talent. Careful planning, appropriate equipment and consideration of the animals’ welfare are essential.
Why use fish in film and television?
Fish can be incredibly effective on camera.
An aquarium can transform a set, creating a sense of calm, luxury or sophistication. A tank full of tropical fish can establish a particular environment, while a single fish can become an important part of a storyline.
Fish can be used for:
- Television dramas and documentaries
- Feature films
- Television commercials
- Online advertising
- Photography and stills campaigns
- Music videos
- Editorial shoots
- Children’s television
- Social media campaigns
- Product advertising
- Interior and lifestyle campaigns
Sometimes the fish are central to the story. In other productions, they are there to create atmosphere or complete a set.
Hiring fish for a production is more complicated than it looks
At first glance, hiring fish might sound straightforward. After all, they don’t need to learn tricks or respond to verbal commands in the same way as a dog.
However, fish are living animals and filming environments can be very different from their normal surroundings.
Production teams need to think about factors including:
- Water temperature
- Water quality
- Tank size
- Filtration and oxygenation
- Lighting
- Noise and vibration
- Movement around the tank
- Length of time the animals are required
- Transport to and from the location
- The number and species of fish required
- Set design and props
- Camera angles and reflections
- Welfare throughout the shoot
A professional animal supplier or animal talent agency can help production teams plan these details before filming begins.
Different fish suit different productions
There is no single “film fish”.
The right fish will depend on the requirements of the production. Goldfish, for example, can be recognisable and work particularly well in domestic settings, while tropical species can create a completely different visual effect.
Depending on the brief, productions may be looking for:
Goldfish – ideal for domestic aquariums, children’s rooms, offices and familiar household settings.
Tropical fish – useful when a colourful or exotic aquarium is required.
Koi – particularly effective for outdoor ponds, Japanese-inspired settings, gardens and luxury properties.
Schooling fish – can create movement and visual interest when a larger aquarium is required.
The species, size, colour and number of fish can all make a significant difference to the final image.
Fish welfare must come first
Just because fish live underwater doesn’t mean that filming requirements are less important.
Fish are sensitive to changes in their environment, and their welfare should always be considered when they are being used for production work.
A responsible animal talent agency should consider the animals’ needs before accepting a job. This includes assessing the proposed tank or enclosure, transportation arrangements, filming conditions and how long the animals will be required.
Fish should never simply be treated as set dressing.
The production should have an appropriate plan for introducing the fish to the filming environment and returning them to suitable conditions afterwards.
The importance of the aquarium
For many productions, the aquarium is just as important as the fish themselves.
A tank needs to look good on camera while also providing a suitable environment for the animals.
There are practical considerations too. Glass and water can create reflections, making filming an aquarium surprisingly challenging. Lighting has to be carefully positioned, while cameras and crew may need to work around the tank.
A professional animal supplier can work with the production team to establish what is possible before the shoot.
This is particularly important if the aquarium is being constructed specifically for filming.
Can fish be transported to a film location?
Yes, fish can be transported, but transportation requires careful planning.
The method will depend on the species, number and duration of the journey. Fish need to be kept in appropriate conditions during transportation, with temperature, oxygen and water quality all considered.
This is one of the reasons why production companies should arrange animal talent well in advance rather than trying to source fish at the last minute.
The welfare of the animals needs to remain the priority from the point they leave their normal environment until they return.
Fish on set: keeping the environment calm
Film sets can be busy places.
There may be lighting equipment, generators, camera movement, crew, props and repeated takes. While a dog can be removed to a quiet holding area between takes, fish may remain within their filming environment.
Planning therefore matters.
The number of people working around the aquarium should be kept appropriate, unnecessary disturbance should be avoided, and the animal handler should be able to monitor the fish throughout filming.
If the fish show signs that they are not coping well with the environment, filming should be reassessed.
Real fish or CGI?
As with many types of animal talent, there are situations where CGI may be appropriate.
However, real fish can provide a level of natural movement and authenticity that can be difficult to reproduce digitally. The subtle movement of a school of fish, the way light moves through water and the unpredictable behaviour of individual animals can all contribute to a more natural-looking shot.
For advertising and lifestyle productions in particular, a real aquarium can make a scene feel much more authentic.
The decision between real animals and CGI will ultimately depend on the creative brief, budget, practical requirements and welfare considerations.
Planning your fish shoot
If your production requires fish, the earlier the animal requirements are discussed, the better.
Before booking, it is useful to establish:
- What species or appearance is required?
- How many fish are needed?
- What size should they be?
- Will they be filmed in an existing aquarium or a temporary tank?
- Where will filming take place?
- How long will the animals be required?
- How many takes are anticipated?
- Will the tank need to be transported?
- What lighting will be used?
- Will there be underwater filming?
- Are there any props or set elements in the tank?
- Who will be responsible for the aquarium between takes?
Providing this information to your animal talent agency allows them to assess the job properly and find an appropriate solution.
Why hire fish through an animal talent agency?
Using an experienced animal talent agency can save a production considerable time and help avoid problems on the day.
Rather than simply sourcing an animal that looks right, an experienced agency can consider whether the animal, environment and filming requirements are suitable.
At The Animal Talent Ltd, we work with production companies to provide animal talent for film, television, advertising and photography.
Our approach is centred around professional preparation, responsible animal handling and welfare.
Whether you need a single fish for a close-up or a larger aquarium scene, we can help discuss the requirements and establish what is achievable for your production.
Looking for fish for your next production?
Fish may not be the first animals that spring to mind when you think about animal talent, but they can create some of the most beautiful and memorable shots on screen.
From a simple goldfish bowl to an elaborate tropical aquarium, the right fish can add character, colour and atmosphere to a scene.
The key is to plan ahead and make sure that the animals’ welfare is considered from the very beginning.
If you’re a producer, director, photographer or production company looking to hire fish for TV, film or advertising, get in touch with The Animal Talent Ltd to discuss your brief.
Real animals. Professional preparation. Responsible animal talent.
