Page 25 - Encyclopedia of Aquarium and Pond Fish, 3rd Edition

THE POPULARITY OF FISHKEEPING 23

CONSERVATION ISSUES
The vast majority of freshwater fish offered for sale to the aquarist
are bred in captivity on a commercial scale. A small proportion of
freshwater and many marine species, however, are wild-caught for
the trade. While some people argue that the trade of live animals
should be banned outright, conservationists increasingly agree that
the sustainable harvesting of wild fish for the aquarium may benefit
both fish populations and the wider environment. This is because
the controlled collection of fish provides lucrative local employment
and gives governments real incentives to monitor and safeguard
precious habitats, such as tropical reefs and rain forests.

Marine home aquariums, such as
this centerpiece by Aquarium Design,
have become extremely popular in
recent years but are harder to
establish than freshwater tanks.

Simple, compact, low-maintenance,
acrylic tanks, such as this stylish
BiOrb, make fishkeeping more
accessible to the beginner.

Transportation and technology The growth of scuba diving has led to a
By the end of the 19th century, England and Germany greater interest in keeping marine fish.
dominated the aquarium pastime, exporting fish to the US Recreating reef conditions within the
aquarium has been made possible
and farther afield. However, tropical fishkeeping took off as by specially formulated sea salts
a hobby only in the 20th century, when electricity supplies and efficient lighting.
made lighting and water heating a reality. Commercial
breeding of fish to meet growing demand began in Florida in
1926; the climate of the state and its proximity to the rivers
of South America, where many popular aquarium fish
originate, made it the ideal base for a fast-growing
industry. Breeding of highly ornamental varieties in the
US and elsewhere attracted more people to the hobby,
while the expansion of air travel after World War II
disseminated exotic varieties around the world with
unprecedented speed.
Today, fishkeeping is big business. Constant
improvements in aquarium technology and foods
have made caring for fish in the home easier
than ever. Furthermore, scientific research has
confirmed what generations of fishkeepers
have recognized: keeping fish brings
measurable health benefits—lowering
blood pressure and stress levels—and
can promote a higher quality of life.

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