Fish: The Ideal Low-Fuss Pet

Aquariums have long reduced stress in dentists’ and doctors’ offices. But they are just as beneficial, and increasingly popular, in the home. “People need contact with nature,” says Dr. Alan Beck, director of Purdue University’s Center for the Human-Animal Bond. And thanks to new technologies, he adds, “fish can be very low-maintenance.”

While only a small percentage of dedicated hobbyists devote themselves to the more complicated and costly saltwater set-ups, keeping freshwater fish has risen steadily over the past two decades. “Depending on the species, you can start with a 10-gallon tank,” says Dr. Roy Yanong, a veterinarian and professor at the University of Florida’s Tropical Aquaculture Laboratory. “But you need the right number and mix of fish, and your aquarium filter will need some time to develop the right set of bacteria. Otherwise, the water will turn toxic.”

Despite working all day with fish from Florida farms, Dr. Yanong keeps a tank of mudskippers by his desk. “Aquaria are where a lot of kids first got their interest in nature. I know I did,” he says. “And while any pet can be an entry into the world of nature, the fascinating thing about fish is that you’re not just keeping pets, you’re running an ecosystem.”

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