People usually look for a hobby or pastime that catches their attention and devote their time, energy, and money to it. One of the most attractive hobbies that is becoming increasingly popular is fishkeeping.
What is a hobby for some has become a global phenomenon.
There are increasingly more aquariums, and more people are buying freshwater fish as pets. In this article, we will discuss all things described in Aquariophilia.
What is aquaristics?
Aquariophilia is the breeding of ornamental fish. which are freshwater aquatic creatures that have been captured and taken to an aquarium or pond.
This is with the purpose of studying their behaviour and development more closely.
This is possible today because science is advancing every day. Fish tanks and Aquariophilia house fish and other marine animals in spaces as similar as possible to their natural habitats, where they can survive in optimal conditions.
History of aquarium keeping
The aquarium hobby has been around for many years. China was one of the first countries to begin breeding golden crucians in ponds outside their natural habitat for export or simply to increase their numbers.
They were then exported to Japan, where new varieties of these fish began to be developed and marketed.
Vendors put them in ceramic containers filled with water to be sold.
However, there was no technology or marine discoveries back then like there are now. They simply left the fish in the water without measuring their temperature or pH.
It was not until 1830, in Monaco, that an aquarium was finally created where fish could live in optimal conditions.
This was because they began to place marine plants in the fish tanks, so there was more oxygen, which helped eliminate water pollution.
But it was from 1950 onwards that a much greater impact of aquarium keeping could be seen, as many people began to have small aquariums in their homes worldwide, something that had never been seen before.
And if we talk about current events, this is increasing every day.
There are thousands of aquariums around the world. They have advanced knowledge about these animals and their way of life, ensuring they have a good place to live.
Importance or benefits of aquariophilia
From an ecological point of view, fishkeeping offers many benefits. Let’s see what they are:
- The fish are bred in captivity and then shipped for commercial sale. which helps keep fish in the seas alive.
- When produced this way, they tend to be born healthier than those born in the oceans.
- It helps reduce the chances of a disease outbreak.
- The aquarium hobby generates a lot of money globally.
- A kilogram of reef fish can cost between $500 and $1,500. The fish we consume costs between $5 and $7 per kilo.
- So it is very profitable. The prices of fish intended for Aquariophilia cost up to a hundred times more than normal ones. which is something that greatly benefits the people who are in charge of exporting them.