What you say?
I feel bad too Franny. But, they don't have the ability to think or feel so that helps me deal with it.
Maybe not to the extent that they are 'self-aware' in the manner of humans (some of us anyway), but as to do they "think and feel" - absolutely, albeit less so than birds but maybe more than reptiles and amphibians.
'Feeling' per se is universal among living organisms (even plants), as response to stimulus is principally deterministic for survival - most just don't make careers out of it, rather more of a good/bad- yes/no processing that dictates behavior/response. That sort of limits 'thinking' in some respects - fish are very unlikely to override (decide against) their 'instincts', e.g., head toward danger, but they do learn things/in ways that seem to exceed what can be explained by simple conditioning.
Not trying to lecture here, but if it has nerves, it feels, and if it has a brain, it thinks. Maybe not very well or logically or sophisticated-like, but I could say the same about some people (all CCA members excepted) and it wouldn't be a lie.
Apologies- just felt a need to stand up for my (stoopid) fish.