In Jain dharma, when we talk about “feeding fish” we should see it through the main principle: ahimsa (non‑violence) and jeev daya (compassion to all living beings).

Feeding fish can have both good and risky sides:

1. Bhav (intention) – where punya comes from

If someone, with pure heart, wants to reduce the hunger of any living being (including fish), the karuna-bhav (compassionate intention) gives punya.

• Thinking: “May these beings suffer less, may I not be cruel” is a good inner feeling.

2. But Jain view: avoid hidden himsa

Practically, many common ways of feeding fish can cause more violence, for example:

• Throwing food into dirty ponds/tanks where oxygen reduces and many water beings (jalchar jeev) die.
• Overfeeding – leftover food rots and kills countless small organisms.
• Buying fish kept in cruel conditions just to “feed” them indirectly supports their captivity and trade, which is against ahimsa.

So, Jain shastra-based thinking is:

• Punya comes from true jeev daya, not from show, fun, or habit.
• If the method includes more overall harm, then punya becomes doubtful and pāpa (bad karma) can increase.

You can read more on jeev daya here

3. Better ways of jeev daya (recommended in Jainism)

Instead of casually feeding fish in parks or commercial spots, Jain practice generally encourages:

• Jal-jeev daya done carefully, e.g.:

- Supporting clean water places where fish and other water beings are not tortured for fun or business. - Not throwing harmful items (plastic, chemicals, soap, etc.) in water.

• General jeev daya:

- Donating to genuine panjarapole / animal shelters. - Carefully keeping food/water for birds/animals in a way that doesn’t create overcrowding, filth, or spread disease. - Reducing our own himsa in food, habits, and business, which helps countless beings daily.

You can see more discussion on jeev daya and ahimsa in daily life here

4. Simple Jain-guided summary

• Good: Pure compassionate feeling for any jiv, including fish, is punya.
• Caution: If the way of feeding fish:

- supports business/cruelty, - increases death of tiny water-beings, - or is done for entertainment/fun,

then it does not match Jain ahimsa.

So, if you wish to do jeev daya, it is better (from a Jain point of view) to:

• Focus on reducing harm to all jiv first,
• Then support living beings (including fish) in ways that truly reduce their suffering without increasing hidden himsa.