| There are millions of fish hobbyists across the | | | | perfect plants and stones to stock your tank |
| country as attested to by the fact that fish are | | | | with, and watching the daily tank soap operas |
| one of the best selling pets that people buy when | | | | unfold before your eyes. Over the weeks, you'll |
| they go to a pet shop. In addition, a quick search | | | | find yourself slowly drawn into the secret |
| of the Internet will reveal thousands of aquarium | | | | underwater world of fish. |
| clubs that bring together members on a weekly | | | | Fish are some of the hardiest of species. |
| or monthly basis to share together their love of | | | | According to scientists, they have been on this |
| fish. Fish are endlessly fascinating. Some species | | | | planet for at least 500 million years. In contrast, |
| even mate for life and you'll get years of | | | | mammals didn't arrive on the scene until at least |
| enjoyment watching them as they grow old, | | | | 200 millions years later. In that time fish have had |
| have children, and raise their families through the | | | | to change and adapt to the circumstances of the |
| years. | | | | moment - circumstance that have killed less hardy |
| Fish are good companions also. Although you can't | | | | species. |
| cuddle or pet them, you also don't have to take | | | | This constant evolution has caused them to be |
| them out for walks. Compared to other possible | | | | one of the more diverse group of species around. |
| pets, such as cats and dogs, fish are relatively | | | | Having survived for so many centuries, it's ironic |
| inexpensive. Once you get past the initial | | | | that with so many fish hobbyists around, that the |
| expenses of buying the tank and the various tank | | | | biggest risk to their continued survival is, of |
| accessories, such as filters, lights, and so on, you'll | | | | course, man. |
| find that your major expenses are paid for. | | | | For most new fish hobbyists, learning to play with |
| No expensive trips to the vet, no taking your dog | | | | and enjoy fish, means being introduced to a whole |
| to the shelter when you have to leave town for | | | | new terminology and way of looking at the world. |
| a few days, and no replacing furniture that your | | | | As humans, most of us spend the vast majority |
| dog or cat has chewed and ruined. Fish are one of | | | | of our time on land. Sure there's the freak |
| the most low maintenance, yet enjoyable, pets | | | | random surfer or Olympics bound swimmer who |
| that you can have. | | | | seem to spend the better part of their days in |
| In fact, once you set up your tank, you'll spend | | | | the water. But even they're just visitors to the |
| most of your time not doing things for your pet | | | | watery domain that the fish call home. Learning |
| that you have to, but doing things that you want | | | | about the habitat where one of the oldest species |
| to. You'll find yourself selecting and evaluating | | | | of animals lives, gives them a rare insight into how |
| various aquarium backgrounds, fussing over the | | | | the ecosystem of the world works. |