After complaints from animal rights groups, the Trapholt Kuntmuseet, near the western town of Kolding, was given a police warning.

It asks the question: 'Do you want to kill?' in order to show that we are masters at all times to decide between life and death

Marco Evaristti

The museum ignored the warning, incurring a fine of $225.

The exhibition, called "Eyegoblack", was the work of the Chilean-born Danish artist Marco Evaristti.

It featured 10 blenders lined up on a table, each containing a goldfish.

A button was available for visitors who wished to turn on a blender, and it was used on several occasions.

Ultimate choice

Mr Evaristti defended his work by saying that it confronted people with a choice of whether or not to kill.

"It asks the question: 'Do you want to kill?' in order to show that we are masters at all times to decide between life and death," he said.

The museum said the exhibit had toured Brazil, Chile and Argentina without any complaints to the police.

But it caused a major stir in Denmark, and prompted the Danish association for the protection of animals to complain to the police.