If you are thinking about getting some new pets to add life and love to your home, you might want to think about getting fish!
If you didn’t already know, freshwater fish actually account for the largest population of pets owned across the United States. In America alone, there are over 139.3 million freshwater fish compared to 94.2 million cats and 89.7 million dogs owned.
So, what are fish such a popular choice of pet? There are quite a few reasons to keep in mind.
Health benefits
This might come as a surprise to you, but there are actually some pretty solid benefits that you can get from keeping fish. Did you ever wonder why so many doctor’s offices have fish? There are four primary reasons.
- They reduce stress: Studies have shown that aquariums can help to reduce anxiety by up to 12 percent. While there is no clear reason why, perhaps the colors, arcing movements, and the clear water serve as something that instinctually comforts humans.
- They lower blood pressure: Plymouth University and University of Exeter found that watching fish in aquariums led to “noticeable reductions in participants blood pressure and heart rate.” Watching your fish during a stressful day can really help you overcome your stress reaction and anxiety.
They’re quiet and clean
Unlike cats and dogs that require tons of care and make lots of noise, fish are clean and quiet. If you have a young family, fish could be the perfect pet for you because they don’t create added noise and activity.
Your children can learn a lot from them
Speaking of children, fish can serve as an incredible learning opportunity of them. Not only can be something of a science project, as you and your children watch your fish mature and grow, it can also teach lessons such as responsibility, caring for the planet, and more.
There is also the inevitable lesson of death that comes with owning fish. While this might be something that you want to protect your children from for as long as possible, using fish as a way to introduce children to the cycle of life can be a beautiful and meaningful experience for your family.
They’re cheaper than other pets
In comparison to other animals, pet fish are cheap. The cost does of course depend on the breeds you decide to keep, with the fancier you go the more expensive it will be.
That being said, while a small dog can cost owners around $1,500 per year, fish cost less than $250.
They’re aesthetically pleasing
John at Aqua Life Hub says this is the most common reason most people want to get a fish.
“This is probably the most common reason why anyone wasn’t to get fish. Simply, they’re just beautiful. Their colors and movements promote feelings of calm and peacefulness. Fish tanks can be much more than an injection of life to your home, it can also be an attractive addition to your home.
“They come in all shapes, sizes and colors and just watching them for a few moments throughout the day can help you reconnect with nature and your inner peace.”