Seven Reasons for Keeping an Aquarium

Fishkeeping as a hobby offers a variety of opportunities for the hobbyist to express their creativity, with aquarium design and aquascapes becoming an art form in itself. An aquarium can be a rewarding hobby for various reasons.

Here are seven compelling reasons to consider:

1. Windows to Nature: Aquariums are like living works of art. They bring the captivating beauty of underwater ecosystems into your home, providing a calming and visually pleasing environment. A window into a microcosm, a mini self-sustaining ecosystem, sustaining life in its myriad interdependent forms.

2. Stress Reduction: Watching fish swim gracefully in an aquarium has been shown to reduce stress and anxiety. The soothing and mesmerizing effects of aquariums can help lower blood pressure and promote relaxation. Aquariums have a calming effect on the space and the people who watch them, mesmerised by this beautiful underwater world. It is no coincidence that one would come across aquariums in hospital waiting areas, Doctor's clinics, especially Dentists! Public areas like airports, and corporate office spaces have incorporated aquariums and other water bodies in their design. Watching fish in an aquarium is known to reduce anxiety and alleviate blood pressure.

3. Educational Opportunity: Aquariums offer a fantastic educational experience, especially for children. They provide insights into aquatic ecosystems, biology, and the importance of conservation. It's a hands-on way to learn about the natural world. I started with the small aquarium my father had kept at home, got hooked on to the hobby, got interested in environmental science and ultimately did my graduation in Zoology.

4. Connection with Nature: For those who may not have easy access to natural bodies of water, an aquarium can create a meaningful connection with nature. It allows you to observe aquatic life up close and learn about their behavior. Aquariums teach children how nature is interdependent and how to take care of the inhabitants in your care. More importantly, with rapidly disappearing forests and ecosystems, it is important for us to encourage the next generation to have a connection with nature. Start them young, they are the custodians of the future.

5. Personalized Ecosystem: You have the creative freedom to design and personalize your aquarium, choosing the species of fish, plants, and decor that you find most appealing. It's like creating your mini-ecosystem, one learns to mimic the natural conditions and parameters as exist in nature - water parameters, including pH, temperature, hardness, light, oxygen, carbon dioxide, acidity, alkalinity, etc. Aquascaping provides an incredible opportunity to recreate nature in the aquariums. Biotope aquariums mimic the natural conditions for its inhabitants, just as they would be in nature.

6. Stimulating Hobby: Maintaining an aquarium is an engaging and ongoing hobby. It involves learning about aquatic species, water chemistry, biotopes, aquascaping, and the needs of your fish and plants, providing a continuous opportunity for growth and exploration for the entire family.

7. Therapeutic Benefits: Some individuals find caring for fish and maintaining an aquarium to be therapeutic. The routine of feeding, cleaning, and observing fish can be a comforting and enjoyable activity. I have witnessed the therapeutic benefits firsthand in my 40 years in this wonderful hobby. Sharing some of the candid moments captured by me over the years of children as they are in awe of the aquariums. My mother, who suffered a stroke at the age of 78, was left paralysed on the left side and was therefore confined to a wheelchair and a dependent life, was quite depressed at this sudden turn of events. One of the highlights of her day was spending time in front of the marine aquarium we had at home. Below is a candid picture of one of those moments.

In addition to these reasons, aquarium keeping is a social hobby, as it provides opportunities to connect with other enthusiasts, share experiences, and participate in local aquarium clubs or online forums. I have been in this hobby for over 40 years now, from the time that I got hooked on it as a 7-year-old kid.

Start your journey with this wonderful hobby...it will be with you for life.