while the obstacle course is unnatural, and could even be inhumane if the plastic edges were sharp, at least it's completely removable, and you can then use this item as any little plastic nano tank. the instructions also set a strict size and quantity limit on what fish you should use, which may prevent fish from getting stuck in any tight spots around this course, assuming the human consumer actually follows the suggested size and quantity limits. given how many people overstock small tanks, or put huge fish in small tanks, the limitations put on owners of this product is of little comfort.
what actually is humane about this item is the built in maintenance computer which tells the owner when to feed, and do various cleaning chores. considering how many newbie goldfish owners over feed their fish, and under maintain their tanks, this computer gimmick may save a lot of fish in the long run. so actually this might be a good gift for someone who got a free goldfish at school; just be sure to first remove and destroy the obstacle course and never let the kids see the packaging.