year-old bank retiree who was growing increasingly irritable, short tempered and restless. The lovable husband, father and grandfather who was known for his sense of humor and friendliness was becoming a pain both for his family and friends. His wife spent sleepless nights wondering what had gone wrong. When she discreetly asked her family doctor, he suggested that Mohammed should find a hobby for himself, anything that would interest him and occupy him. Knowing her husband's love for pets she bought him an aquarium as a gift. It has been three months since she brought those fish home and she's happy to see her husband being his old self again. Dr A.R. Govindaraju, a general physician practicing in Bangalore, India for 25 years, says: “Pets do wonders for a person's health. But pets can also be a cause of disease. Dogs spread worm infestations while animal fur is a cause of bronchial asthma. An overactive, vociferous pet can tax anybody's patience. On the other hand fish not only provide companionship but also give the aged a sense of responsibility in caring for the pets and also have a calming effect on the mind. Watching the serene atmosphere in the aquarium, with the colorful fish gliding and swimming smoothly, reduces the pulse rate and blood pressure, anxiety, stress and strain of modern day living.” The custom of keeping fish in captivity is very old. The Romans maintained tanks where fish were kept, although their primary, if not sole purpose was the practical one of providing fresh food. The tradition has continued and aquariums with edible fish are still to be found in restaurants today. The Aztecs kept fish, and goldfish was fashionable among the Chinese over a thousand years ago and was bred solely for ornamental purposes. The art of fish keeping has developed gradually from the basic need for food. Edible fish were formerly the exclusive privilege of people living by the sea or near rivers as the storing of live fish was impractical. Keeping live fish in captivity therefore became a rare luxury for inland dwellers. The first captive fish are likely to have been members of the carp family. Over the years, fish keepers may have learnt to recognize individuals and become attached to their charges, and it is likely that an occasional genetic spot or non-standard colored fish, would appear and draw greater attention. Such fish would be segregated and kept for their appearance rather than their meat and so the fish-keeping hobby was born. It is important for the reader who is about to set up his first aquarium to realize that in fact very little equipment is essential for a well-balanced aquarium. No great financial outlay is necessary. The beginner should not be put off by thinking that it need be either expensive or complicated to put himself in the position of deriving unlimited pleasure from an aquarium. One unusual feature of this hobby is that it can be pursued at a variety of different levels to suit every purse. An aquarium is an abnormal environment for the fish and its success largely depends on whether the animals are able to adapt to such different conditions. If the animals survive, we should congratulate them more than ourselves because they are more likely to have done so inspite of us rather than because of us. There are many types of fish. Salt water fish and river water fish are two main categories i.e. fresh water fish and marine water fish. There are many divisions and sub divisions as well as numerous species. The tougher varieties, which are easy to maintain, are Tiger Barbs, Guppies, Angels, Tetras, Platys, Loaches, Eel, Pistilla, Gorami etc. The delicate ones that need clean water and constant care are Discus, Ghost fish, gold fish, Neons, Cardinals, Harlequins etc. Indeed, a connoisseur of beauty can be wonder struck by the variety of fish. Laying out an aquarium is not just a matter of putting into a tank the few basic requirement of the fish that are to live in it. Their need is of course paramount and must never be ignored, they are the controlling factor in everything. However without in any way ignoring what the fish need, the ingenious amateur can with care and thought, create an aquarium which is also a thing of beauty and a satisfying recreation of the fish's natural environment. This is an exercise in the artistic arrangement of sand, stone and plants and the judicious use of other materials used in the aquarium. Sana, a housewife living near Olaya street in Riyadh, and an enthusiast, says: “If one is keen on having a pet, maintaining an aquarium is the best bet and a non-messy affair. Regarding (the) decoration of aquariums, there is no limit, one can make use of one's own imagination or go for expert advice. We can use just pebbles, queer rocks, corals and form a rock garden or have a whole lot of thick plants growing in a mini forest. Or one can place a neat ceramic hut or a castle in a corner and put a path in front with many plants around it and a bubble-making pump so that air is circulated.” Fixing a light in the aquarium is a must. It provides the warmth needed for the fish in winter. If the aquarium is large, a heater and a thermometer also have to be attached to check the temperature. Fish cannot tolerate too much heat or too much cold either. They are liable to die if no heat is provided in winter. Likewise in summer, heater and light has to be minimized or the fish will die of too much heat. The simplest act of taking care of fish is the feeding routine. Many types of ready food are available in the powdered form. Fix a time to feed and sprinkle the food on the surface of water everyday at the same time. If the aquarium is large with many fish in it you may need to feed them twice a day. Again care has to be taken as too much food pollutes the tank and needs to be cleaned often which leads to loss of life, for the fish cannot stand the constant change of water with no settled environment. Cleanliness has to be maintained by cleaning the outer surface and inner sides of the glass. Take out dust, oil, and waste plant matter that floats up now and then. Complete change of water in the tank has to be done six months once or more if the aquarium is large. There are many varieties of ‘tops' available for aquariums from iron, wood, fiber plastic to the latest fancy variety made of bamboo strips. The practical and durable ones are made of fiber plastic, which last for years. Aquariums can be bought at all ranges. The smallest one with a modest top along with ordinary fish costs 150 Saudi riyals, but if one is ready to splurge, one can invest more than 10,000 riyals on a single aquarium. The smallest fish cost 20 riyals a pair, and the food you feed, powdered food, dried worms and pellets, does not cost much. Technology has improved and elevated ‘wet pet care' to newer heights. Heaters with thermostat, water filters with pump, air bubble makers, thermometers, fluorescent lamps can be provided for the beauty and health of the fish and aquarium. Aquarists are very passionate about their pets. Wasim, a teacher by profession and an aquarist for the past 15 years says “Fish are very attractive and colorful; it is pure joy to watch them. Owning an aquarium is no less than owning a miniature (form of) nature in accordance with our imagination. It can give happiness and peace of mind and good health.” Many aquarists will assert that the essence of this hobby is perseverance and determination, not to be downcast by an occasional failure or calamity. Therein lies the main attraction of the hobby, for each dedicated amateur who wrestles with those difficulties and overcomes them, lies the supreme satisfaction of the aquarist.
