The modern interest in
aquariums began in Europe in the nineteenth century. It was then that the first
public aquariums were established, including the very popular ones in Paris and
London.
The remarkable increase
in the number of aquarists (the general term for those who keep fishes) shows
the growing popularity of a hobby which transcends national frontiers and
provides a common interest among men and women all over the world.
In Nigeria, the first
aquarium shop seems to have been established in the early sixties by Apostle
Dr. Lukosi of Aquarists International Limited. Since then, other aquarium
establishments have been set up but the rate has not been enough to satisfy the
growing popularity of the hobby. This unfortunate situation is further
compounded by lack of detailed information on the care and maintenance of the
bank and its occupants.
Most aquarium owners –
they cannot be called real hobbyists – will put together a heterogeneous
collection of fishes which came originally from totally different biotopes, and
which must adapt themselves to what is often an unsuitable environment. The
real aquarists - only a small percentage of the total number – practise their
hobby in a scientifically more reasonable way.
They try to imitate, as
closely as possible in their tanks, the natural environment of a certain fish
species by the composition of the water and by the planting, lightning and
temperature, so that the fish can live there under optimum conditions and
ultimately propagate.
These series of
articles are designed to provide general information on this matter as well as
detailed information on the keeping of tropical freshwater fishes. It will also
include notes on some basic matters like nutrition, hygiene, diseases, breeding
and rearing of these fishes.
In addition, helpful
hints will be given to the advanced aquarists interested in salt water
aquariums even though it is a relatively new branch of the hobby.
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