Fish are fascinating, and so is keeping them. From their immense beauty of colors to their quiet nature, keeping fish appeals to many starting out.
In this article, we’re going to look at why you should consider joining the fishkeeping hobby!
Benefits To Fishkeeping
Setting up a fish tank has more benefits than just looking cool. In fact, a study in 2015 from the CDC showed that keeping fish brings numerous health and learning benefits to both adults and kids.
Here are the main benefits to keeping fish:
Health Benefits
Have you ever thought to yourself about why places such as hospitals and dentist offices often have aquariums in the reception area?
If you think the answer is due to aesthetic purposes, YOUR WRONG. Plenty of research has been done to summarize that watching fish swim has numerous health benefits. The main ones are:
- Reduced Stress – The sound of streams, ocean waves, and rain calms us. In general, the sound of running water alone is considered calming by many of us. Aquariums give off that same effect too!
- Reduce Blood Pressure and Heart Rate – When you are calmer and more “mellow”, your body starts to relax. Thus, your overall heart rate and blood pressure levels tend to drop.
- Improved Behavior Of Alzheimer’s Patients – A study concluded that patients with Alzheimer’s benefited greatly from brightly colored fish in aquariums. They noticed improvement in behavior and appetite which allowed them to feel more relaxed.
In general, you’ll notice an uplift in mood when you open up an aquarium. This can then translate into better work performance and lift up your quality of life!
Learning Opportunity For Kids
Kids are curious by nature. From exploring new things to learning about new creatures, they find joy in discovery. Fishkeeping is a great way to teach your children about fish and aquatic ecosystems in general.
Plus, fish are small so they will naturally keep an eye on them.
Whether you’re cleaning the tank or feeding the fish, your kids will learn how to care for animals.
So, if you’re a parent that is looking to help your child engage with nature for long periods of time, fish tanks are a great option to consider.
Fish tanks are cheap
Unlike other hobbies where you have to blow the bank to get started, all you need to open up an aquarium is a tank, some fish, and water.
The price of most fish is exponentially less than the price of dogs, cats, birds, and most other pets. However, some fish breeds are more expensive than others so the price can fluctuate depending on what you stock your tank with.
Still, no matter what type of fish you get, it won’t cost you a fortune.
Fish Are Quiet
Ask animal lovers what is one thing they dislike about their pet(s), and most will answer that they hate how their pet(s) keep them up at night.
Fish don’t make noise. This makes them the ideal pet if you have small babies or sick oldies at home.
Fish Are Low Maintenance
Fish, unlike other animals, don’t require your assistance all day. You don’t have to entertain them, give them toys, or spoil them with accessories.
You won’t have to give them daily walks or prepare special food for them.
Even if you isolate them for days, they won’t feel anxious or depressed!
Most of the time fish are independent, which means your job is mainly to feed them and clean the tank. When on holiday, just make sure you can get someone to feed them or consider an automatic feeder.
For tank maintenance, simply changing the water, scraping off algae, and cleaning the gravel is all you’ll need to do. Make the place look beautiful!
All around, aquariums won’t require much hassle from you, which means you can reap the reward of fish without all of the hard work commonly associated with other pets.
Summary
Fishkeeping is a rewarding hobby that offers numerous health benefits. From making you feel calmer and more relaxed to lowering your blood pressure and heart rate, the benefits are essential to living your best life.
If you’re a parent with children, keeping fish is a great way to allow them to experience nature in a simple and easy way.
For those on a budget wanting to start a hobby without blowing the bank, fishkeeping may be for you.
And finally, compared to other pets, fish are low maintenance which means you’ll be able to sit back and relax as your fish swim gracefully through the crystal-clear tank water.
Want to know how to set up a fish tank and start experiencing the benefits today? Read this article on how to set up a fish tank for beginners!
Meet The Author
Hi there, my name is Gunnar Kennedy! I’m a fishkeeping enthusiast and owner of Smartfishkeeper. I love sharing new ideas and helping others care for their aquatic friends! I Hope you enjoyed this article and learned something new!
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