Benefits, problems, and characteristics of home aquarium owners

Although tank fish are currently the most popular "pets" in the USA, litera ture reporting studies on the benefits, problems, and characteristics of ho me aquarium ownership is extremely limited. Because it seemed important to learn more about people who enjoy owning and caring for home aquaria, 50 me n and 50 women were interviewed in several area stores which provide and se ll living fish and adjunct products necessary for maintaining good home aqu arium environments. Major problems reported by home aquarium owners were th e expensive equipment, especially the ranks and controls for water temperat ure, circulation. and chemical balances, the tank maintenance, and tank cle anliness. Major benefits mentioned by such owners were the calming, relaxat ion, and stress-reduction effects of just watching fish which lessened anxi eties and created a sense of serenity. These findings help to explain the c urrent popularity of the live inhabitants of home aquaria.