INTRODUCTION
INTRODUCTION
Goldfish have been selectively bred in China since at least the 10th century. However, they were not introduced into Europe until the late 18th century (c. 1791). In 1853, the London Zoological Society established one of the first public aquariums to showcase fish species. By 1864, public aquariums had opened in Paris and Hamburg, primarily featuring local species that could be collected from nearby rivers and lakes. The introduction of tropical fish to the aquarium trade began in 1869 when the first such species, the Paradise Fish (Macropodus opercularis), was imported from Asia. From that point forward, increasing numbers of tropical species were introduced from distant regions, fueling interest in exotic fishkeeping.
In the early days of the hobby, maintaining a tropical aquarium was a challenging and costly endeavor. Heating was achieved using open flames—an inefficient and hazardous method. Filtration systems were bulky, noisy, and expensive. Water chemistry was poorly understood, and quality water conditioners were unavailable. Fish suffered from dietary deficiencies due to the limited selection of live and dried foods. Furthermore, the variety of fish available was small, and reliable information on species size, diet, care, and social behavior was scarce. Almost all fish were wild-caught, with few bred in captivity. Mortality rates during transport were high, further driving up costs. As a result, tropical fishkeeping was an exclusive hobby, primarily accessible to the wealthy and scientifically inclined. Today, advancements in aquarium technology have made fishkeeping more accessible and manageable than ever before.
Most aquarium fish today are still bred in Asia, with a significant number also produced in Florida. Captive-bred species offer several advantages over their wild-caught counterparts: they are more readily available, less likely to carry parasites, generally more affordable, and tend to be hardier. However, successive generations of inbred captive fish may exhibit diminished coloration and reduced fin size compared to their wild relatives, except in cases where selective breeding enhances these traits.
Despite the rise of virtual aquarium simulations that allow people to maintain digital fish tanks without ever getting their hands wet, the popularity of real-world tropical fishkeeping continues to grow. This enduring appeal is driven by increased environmental awareness, the vast array of available species, and the relative ease of fish care. Aquariums can enhance the ambiance of a room while requiring minimal maintenance compared to other pets. Fishkeeping is an enjoyable and rewarding hobby that offers relaxation, aesthetic pleasure, and educational value for enthusiasts of all ages and interests.