Research has proven repeatedly that, because of the relaxing effect that tropical fish have, owning one can make your life happier and healthier. It can be mesmerizing to watch your fish as they gently glide through the water in your home aquarium. Videotapes and DVDs of simple home aquariums along with screen savers featuring tropical fish are very popular remedies for trying to combat stress.
An advantage of an in-home aquarium is that it offers both lovely sights and pleasant sounds as well. Numerous fountains are used in home decoration because most people find the sound of running water to be a calming influence. You can purchase any of a number of white noise machines that create water like noises - for example, rain on the roof, or the roar of a waterfall. The noise level of modern aquarium air pumps and filtration systems has been greatly reduced due to technological improvements. To determine where an air pump should be positioned to reduce the noise it makes, try placing it on several different surfaces. On the other hand, once you get used to it, the steady purring of an air pump can become quite soothing.
Oftentimes, fish are not viewed as a friend or companion. However, they will never pester (barring the request for a bite to eat), they will not argue with you, and they certainly will not bad mouth your mother or stab you in the back. Having your fish recognize you, and perform tricks when they see you that they will never perform for anyone else, is one of the great joys of keeping an aquarium at home. Your fish may come to the aquarium top, where they will kiss the surface like they do when they are eating, or they may follow you as you move, or they might dart back and forth around the aquarium. While there is no proof that fish experience feelings of happiness, it really looks as though they are glad to see you.
Maintaining a happy home aquarium requires preparation, patience and a little technical ability. It is also important to observe your underwater friends in their habitat to make sure that they are in good health. There are some things that the normal individual just won't take the time to learn. However, watching a healthy fish move in the water like a living treasure as a result of your actions is not so different from seeing the final result of a painting you yourself painted.
