Fish are relaxing to watch, providing both enjoyment and pleasure. Fish can be a great pet, and are easy to care for. An aquarium can be a beautiful and entertaining addition to any home. There have even been studies that show how good having fish as pets can be for your health. Watching fish in an aquarium can actually improve your health by lowering your blood pressure and stress levels. It can be very gratifying to have an aquarium of fish, and studies have shown that at least one out of every ten households has fish as pets.

One of the great things about keeping fish is that they are low maintenance. Compared to other types of pets, they require minimal time to take care of, which makes them perfect for people who are always on the go. Fish also make a great first pet for a child, giving them something to care for that will also provide them with entertainment.

Children not only love to watch fish, but they enjoy having a chance to be responsible for a pet. Children often become very attached to their fish, and will not only take care of them, but spend a great deal of time watching them and even talking to them.

Fish are ideal in a number of other environments as well. An aquarium of fish in the classroom provides both entertainment and an educational experience for the students. Hospitals and nursing homes often have aquariums because they have found that the residents and patients really enjoy watching the fish. It can be a good form of "pet therapy", even for those who are not physically able to interact with other types of animals. Studies have shown that watching fish is something that is able to capture a person's attention, which is helpful for those in nursing homes who have trouble focusing. By having fish to watch, patients tend to not feel quite as alone.

Fish do not require a great deal of care, especially if the aquarium is set up well initially. If you properly maintain an aquarium, you will find that the tank is actually very easy to keep clean. It is often best when starting out with fish to start small, with a ten to twenty gallon aquarium. A small aquarium does not take up much space, and is quite affordable. You will need to support the aquarium on some sort of pedestal or stand, keeping in mind that even a small aquarium can be quite heavy.

It is important to remember that a gallon of water weighs almost 8 1/2 pounds, so make sure to support your aquarium properly. If you keep tropical fish, you will also need a heater for the aquarium. A hood is recommended, not only to prevent fish from accidentally jumping out of the aquarium, but also to provide protection from small children and other pets. You should also add some gravel and small plants to the aquarium. When adding the fish, keep in mind not to crowd them, and stick to the general guideline of one inch of fully-grown fish for every gallon of water.