Brooklyn’s Viral Aquarium Becomes a Memorial After Fish Die

A creative community aquarium that once drew crowds to a small puddle near a fire hydrant in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, has turned into a makeshift graveyard for its aquatic residents. Initially set up as a playful attraction, the installation ended abruptly after the New York City Fire Department shut it down, leaving the puddle empty and dry.

The aquarium, intended to foster conversation and joy among residents, especially children, quickly became a neighborhood highlight. “It’s sad,” said Hajj-Malik Lovick, a long-time local and one of the project’s creators. “There was a misunderstanding with the fire department, and the fish wound up dying.” The project, which involved edging a tree bed with rocks and bricks and stocking it with 100 goldfish, was a modest attempt to turn a puddle into something unexpected and entertaining.

Though many residents enjoyed the quirky attraction, it faced criticism from Animal rights groups. PETA’s Emergency Response Team Director, Kristin Rickman, expressed disappointment, calling the setup “inhumane.” Rickman stressed that taking a few minutes to safely rehome the fish could have prevented their deaths.

Despite the unfortunate end to this chapter, Lovick remains optimistic, expressing plans to reconstruct the aquarium with improvements. Nearby, a sign posted on a railing reflects this sentiment, reading, “We are currently reconstructing the fish pond… Will return soon, no worries!” However, Rickman questioned the decision to try again, urging Lovick and others to consider options that wouldn’t endanger or exploit animals for entertainment.

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