5 Underrated Benefits of Keeping Fish as Pets
There are some obvious reasons fish make great pets, but we want to explore the subtler ones. Here are some underrated reasons to keep fish as pets.
Did you know there are more pet freshwater fish in the U.S. than there are dogs and cats? And saltwater fish are no stranger to the American household either, with 18.8 million being kept as pets in 2018!
Maybe you’ve considered getting yourself a pet, but are worried about your house being too small or pets being too expensive.
If this sounds like you, maybe it’s time you considered getting some fish as pets!
Beyond being a great way to invite some non-human friends into your home, you might be surprised to learn about some of the lesser-known benefits of having an aquarium hobby.
5 Benefits to Keeping Fish as Pets
Getting started with your aquarium can be a fun and exciting project, but having fish as pets is a gift that keeps on giving.
Love the idea of having an aquarium but you’re worried they’re unsustainable? You might want to consider algae aquariums for your home.
No matter what type of tank you decide to get, there are a lot of great reasons to welcome some fishy-friends into your family.
Reduces Stress and Anxiety
While anyone who’s spent any time staring in awe at a well-designed aquarium knows the calming effects first hand, one study showed that the presence of a fishtank reduced their anxiety by 12%.
Another study found that participants had a noticeable reduction in their heart rate and blood pressure after watching fish in aquariums.
Positive Benefits for People With Alzheimer’s Disease
Access to aquariums can also have positive effects on people who suffer from Alzheimer’s disease, with one study finding that exposure to brightly colored fish in tanks both increased their appetite and decreased their disruptive behaviors.
Inexpensive Compared to Other Pets
If you’re looking to get a pet for your household but don’t want to break the bank, keeping fish might be a great option for you. While it’s possible to spend a lot of money on extravagant aquariums, setting up a basic household aquarium is probably one of the cheapest pets you can have.
But how much are fish? While it depends on a lot of factors, for a basic setup you can expect to spend a little over $200 with an additional cost of $20 per year.
Great for Small Spaces
If you live in a small home or apartment but are looking to have some animal companionship, pet aquariums are a great way to do so.
Depending on how many fish you get and what kind of fish, aquariums can be quite small. That being said, the standard small goldfish bowl is much too small for any kind of fish.
Aesthetic Beauty
One of the valuable benefits of having an aquarium hobby is how much beauty aquariums can add to any room. An aesthetically pleasing addition to your home, keeping fish can be a rewarding hobby and a creative outlet.
Both family pets and aquariums can have a calming effect on people, but watching an aquarium for a few minutes every day, which in many ways is a meditative act, can have a truly beneficial impact. Having access to an aquarium is a great way to connect with the beauty of nature and welcome it into your own home.
No Wonder So Many People Have Pet Aquariums!
Keeping fish as pets has so many benefits, there’s no way I could fit them all into this short list. What are some benefits you experience from keeping fish? Let me know in the comments below!
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