10 Best Aquarium Stand Design

Best Aquarium Stand Design in 2023

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Earth-Friendly Fishkeeping: Creating a Sustainable Aquarium

Guidelines for choosing earth-friendly freshwater fish species, both wild-caught and captive-bred; plus information about and energy efficient aquariums and fish species to boycott.

Freshwater Aquariums are More Earth-Friendly than Saltwater

While is is possible to have a sustainable saltwater aquarium, it is exceedingly difficult, owing to the near-total destruction of coral reef ecosystems due to irresponsible fishing and coral removal practices. Almost all saltwater aquarium fish are wild-caught, and many are retrieved using unsustainable fishing practices, including the use of liquid cyanide to stun fish. Many of them die en route to home aquariums, and coral ecosystems are often permanently altered or destroyed by this trade.

Since freshwater fish are generally either sustainably harvested or bred in captivity, and since most freshwater ecosystems are not in the degree of jeopardy that the world's coral reefs face, an earth-friendly freshwater aquarium is easier to create and maintain than a saltwater equivalent. While they are usually not as visually dazzling as a high-tech reef aquarium, they are much kinder to the planet.

Boycotting Un-sustainable Aquarium Fish Species

While the majority of freshwater fish species are earth-friendly because they are bred in captivity, others are caught in the wild from unsustainable fisheries, and a few even face the threat of extinction owing to overfishing. The galaxy rasbora and cherry barb are two freshwater species that have been severely depleted in the wild, while the Endler's livebearer is becoming increasingly rare.

Additionally, some fish are not sustainable owing to their genealogy, even when they are captive bred. Flowerhorn cichlids and parrot cichlids are unnatural, unhealthy hybrids that pollute the genepool of their wild relatives, who are in desperate need of conservation. Genetically modified aquarium fish like the Glofish are highly controversial for a variety of reasons, as well.

Choosing Earth-Friendly Aquarium Fish Species

Fortunately, in the world of earth-friendly freshwater fishkeeping, there is more good news than bad news. The vast majority of freshwater aquarium fish (roughly 80-90%) are sustainably bred and raised in earth-friendly captive environments. Others, like the cardinal tetra, are wild-caught but actually benefit the planet by enabling impoverished people to sell populous aquarium fish instead of resorting to deforestation to earn a living.

Even when aquarists purchase earth-friendly and sustainable aquarium fish, they should still bear in mind that some species have the potential to cause serious ecological harm if they manage to escape into a non-native ecosystem. The natural ecosystems of Florida have been seriously harmed by the introduction of cichlids, while goldfish and suckermouth catfish have destroyed the natural balance of other rivers and lakes.

Maintaining an Energy- Efficient Freshwater Aquarium

Another step toward sustainable fishkeeping is the creation of an energy-efficient freshwater aquarium. Aquarists are often surprised by the massive increase in their energy bills when a very large, heated aquarium is added to the home. Choosing insulated glass, efficient heaters, and low-energy filters can decrease the amount of energy needed for an aquarium. Larger aquariums are more efficient than multiple, smaller tanks.

Some aquarists may choose to conserve energy by selecting aquarium fish species that are compatible with cold water (or room temperature). While this choice will place some limits on the number of aquarium species to choose from, it leaves many more options still available-- and it can pay off quickly with lower bills and a healthier planet.

Aquarists wouldn't host ecosystems in their homes if they did not have respect for the aquatic life that they are caring for. The best way to show respect to the animals in your care is to encourage the development of sustainable fishkeeping. As the fishkeeping hobby moves toward "greener" choices, people, and fish both benefit.