Fishkeeping Vs. Saltwater Aquariums

At first glance, the fishkeeping hobby may not seem complex. It can be both fun and satisfying to own an aquarium for people of all ages, especially those that generally enjoy animals. However, aquariums are essentially small, delicate ecosystems. Beginners have the option to explore either freshwater or saltwater aquariums. Each type comes with its own benefits and downfalls, though many find replicating an ocean, as is the case with saltwater aquariums, to be significantly more difficult than emulating ponds or rivers. Experienced aquarists often claim beginners should always start with freshwater tanks, but this does not have to be the case. Before deciding to indulge in fishkeeping, it is important to analyze the cost, level of difficulty, …show more content…
Those entering fishkeeping must consider what kind of budget they can allot to aquariums. According to FishLore, a basic freshwater aquarium can cost around $270 after purchasing the aquarium, substrate, filter, aquarium light, test kits, other equipment, and a quarantine tank. For this reason, many people will opt for a freshwater aquarium as they tend to be on the lower end of the price scale. The cost goes up depending on what decorations are chosen, as well as substrate and whether or not plants are involved. Coldwater aquariums can be more expensive depending on the environment. Some climates may require the purchase of an aquarium chiller, which tends to be expensive compared to a simple heater. Beyond that, freshwater fish are significantly cheaper in comparison to saltwater fish. For example, a betta fish from a local pet store can run as low as three dollars whereas a clownfish may cost upwards of twenty to thirty …show more content…
In freshwater aquariums, aquarists have a large range of options in terms of fish. Depending on the type of freshwater they decide to set up, the fish can be broken into the same categories: coldwater and tropical. Coldwater fish include livestock such as goldfish, some species of tetra, various minnows, and so on. Tropical fish, on the other hand, include many vibrant fish, including but not limited to bettas, cichlids, and a wide variety of invertebrates. Saltwater fish are primarily those that can be found in the ocean, such as clownfish, blue tangs, and various types of shrimp. From an aesthetic standpoint, saltwater fish are often bolder and attract more awe from viewers, though many freshwater fish can be just as