Read the argument excerpt.
Owning a saltwater aquarium is a popular hobby. The exotic beauty of fish for these miniature habitats attracts many people to the pastime. One unusual addition is the lionfish—a particularly striking species with red-and-white stripes, flowy fins, and a series of long spines down its back. Lionfish are native to the Indo-Pacific region where they are a top predator in the coral reefs of tropical waters.
Choosing a lionfish for a saltwater aquarium should be a careful decision, though. Some people purchase this unique fish, and then, when they grow tired of the work needed to maintain an aquarium, set the fish free. This action has been a notably distressing problem off Florida and up the Atlantic Coast. Lionfish are a novel species in this region and other animals are confused by their look and behavior. As a result, smaller fish and invertebrates become easy prey for the lionfish. The total irresponsibility of saltwater fish owners has disturbed the ecological balance in the Atlantic. Therefore, aquarium owners who decide to have lionfish or other saltwater fish species are a main cause for environmental damage in the region. There should be immediate and strict regulation on the aquarium fish industry.
What purpose does the author’s use of a straw man serve?
a)It blames lionfish’s appearance for causing environmental damage.
b)It points out the benefits and challenges of owning a saltwater aquarium.
c)It creates a false choice between selecting fish species for aquariums or caring for the environment.
d)It exaggerates the impact of releasing saltwater fish to support the argument that regulation is needed.
