Aquarium Animals

Aquariums are more than just beautiful water displays; they’re an invaluable resource to scientists, educating us about marine life and habitats. They also provide a unique opportunity to study animal behaviour and health in an environment that is essentially a controlled setting, with regular opportunities for observation and monitoring.

The use of aquaria for research is growing, especially in the field of human wellbeing. Studies have shown that aquariums can improve mental health and reduce stress, resulting in improved blood pressure, heart rate, sleep quality, depression and anxiety. Similarly, aquariums have been found to be useful in treating Alzheimer’s patients by providing therapeutic benefits such as relaxation and stimulation of the senses.

Fish are the most popular aquarium animals, and for good reason: they’re beautiful to look at. However, not all aquarium fish are wild-caught, and some have been caught in extremely cruel ways, primarily by the Japanese sea farming industry, which involves intensive confinement of fish in tiny enclosures.

Wild-caught aquarium fish have been known to suffer from a variety of issues including malnutrition, parasites and diseases, and some even die from the stress of their journeys. The capture and transport of aquarium animals can have an enormous impact on the environment, causing destruction of the habitat where the fish are caught, as well as damaging ocean biodiversity. Many aquariums have a policy of not purchasing wild-caught animals.

As a result, most aquarium animals are born in captivity. Some of them are born in zoos and aquariums, like dolphins Barney and Aniak, or rescued from the wild, deemed non-releasable because of injury or illness, like the sea otter Adaa. Other aquarium animals are bred to supply the aquarium trade.

Aquarium-bred animals may be the best choice for a new aquarist, as they’re often easier to care for than wild-caught counterparts. Aside from the usual aquarium supplies (fish food, filters, substrate, etc.), aquarium-bred species require less maintenance than their wild-caught cousins, and are typically adapted to the local climate and environmental conditions.

Some aquarium-bred species are so easy to maintain that they can be kept by children. Several studies have reported positive effects of aquarium-based child-care interventions, including increased empathy for animals and increased understanding of ecology.

Keeping fish as pets is also common, and two studies have reported that aquariums can offer psychological benefits to people who keep them in their homes. In the first, a phenomenological study that interviewed participants about their experiences with aquariums in their homes, people identified feelings of relaxation and reduced stress. The second study surveyed people about their experiences with observing aquatic life in their home aquaria. Those who watched aquariums in their home aquaria also identified similar feelings of relaxation and reduced stress.

Those who keep fish as pets are also advised to observe their fish regularly, to ensure they’re healthy. This includes watching for signs of disease, such as blotchy colours, a lack of appetite or gasping, and checking that the fish are breathing normally. Fish that are ill should be quarantined in an isolation tank to prevent the spread of infection and to allow their condition to be monitored.