Carla Patel

Professor Heinz
ENVS 131

Environmental impacts of freshwater home aquaria

A rising number of households are embracing the popular pastime of freshwater

aquarium keeping. Freshwater aquaria offer a delightful home to a diverse range of aquatic

species, including mystery snails, freshwater shrimp, guppies, goldfish, and clownfish.

Keeping an aquarium can be a source of relaxation, joy, and education. This essay aims to

explore the environmental impacts associated with owning an aquarium, both positive and

negative.

A freshwater aquarium is a receptacle that holds one or more freshwater aquatic

organisms for decorative, pet-keeping, or research purposes. For the purpose of this essay, the

focus lies on aquaria used for non-research reasons, such as home pet-keeping or

ornamentation in public spaces like offices. Species kept in freshwater aquaria may be either

coldwater or tropical species, which are generally not mixed due to incompatibilities in

environmental needs, such as temperature. Popular species frequently kept in such aquaria

include mystery snails, freshwater shrimp, guppies, goldfish, clownfish, and a variety of

aquatic plants, notably those in the acanthus family.

Aquarium ownership may have some adverse environmental impacts. The primary

concern lies in the sustainability of the pet trade, where species are sourced from both

captive-breeding operations and the wild. Dr. Tracey King explains that, overall, the

freshwater species trade poses a lower risk to wild ecosystems compared to the trade in

ornamental marine fish. Dr. King notes that "Approximately 90% of ornamental freshwater

fish species traded are captive-bred, but, due to their complex breeding cycles, 90-95% of

ornamental marine fish species are wild-caught." Nevertheless, there are several instances

where freshwater wild-capture fisheries have caused significant problems for wild
ecosystems. For example, a known issue is the replacement of overexploited wild species

with cultured animals in the Orinoco and Rio Negro Rivers in South America, and over-

exploitation of the zebra pleco Hypancistrus zebra from the Xingu River, a tributary of the

Amazon Basin.

The aquarium trade can also cause numerous problems related to invasive species,

particularly when aquarium animals either escape or are released by aquarium owners. A

study by D.K. Padilla et al. compares the impact of aquatic invasive species from the

aquarium trade with that of ballast-transported species. They note that the issue of invasive

species is under-investigated in the aquarium trade, especially because aquaria are more

widespread than ballast transport and the trade pertains to larger, more diverse species at an

adult stage (and thus more likely to be able to reproduce). They note that “One third of the

aquatic species on the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Invasive

Species Specialist Group list of 100 worst invasive species (Lowe et al. 2000) are from

aquarium or ornamental releases” (Padilla, 2004).

As an example, red cherry shrimp (Neocaridina denticulate), a freshwater shrimp variety

popular in home aquaria, native to inland waterbodies in East Asia, has established

populations in some polluted waterbodies in Hungary and the Carpathian mountains. Once

established, the red cherry shrimp is a highly productive species with possible impacts on the

ecosystem and associated biota (Weiperth, 2019). Released species may interact and

reproduce with related native species, leading to genetic interactions that impact native

populations, as was observed in the case of the palaemonid shrimp (Palaemon sinensis)

which was imported from China to Japan. In studies on the genetic impact on native Japanese

shrimp, haplotype variation had been greatly influenced by non-native species, with the

potential to lead to unintentional and artificial secondary spread and consequent habitat

expansion of this non-native shrimp (Ogasawara, 2021).

 Freshwater aquaria can potentially lead to negative water quality impacts with broader

implications for local watersheds and native populations. One concerning aspect is the effect

of discharged aquarium water on surrounding environments. Due to the use of filtration

systems and the accumulation of waste, aquarium water may contain elevated levels of

nutrients, such as nitrogen and phosphorus, which can contribute to eutrophication when

released into local water bodies. Additionally, the presence of pathogens and diseases within

aquarium systems raises concerns about disease transmission to both captive and wild

populations. While aquarium inhabitants may exhibit resilience to certain pathogens, these

microorganisms can potentially be introduced into native ecosystems, impacting vulnerable

species.

In examining the matter thus far, the potential negative environmental consequences

of owning freshwater aquaria have been discussed; however, it is equally important to

acknowledge the significant environmental benefits that this practice can offer. Ownership of

a freshwater aquarium presents substantial educational opportunities for hobbyists,

contributing to the heightened awareness of conservation needs, fostering an appreciation for

biodiversity, and promoting a deeper understanding of ecosystem fragility. Moreover, certain

enthusiasts engage in the creation of biotope aquaria, purposefully replicating specific natural

habitats, thereby facilitating comprehension of the intricate balance required to maintain

thriving and sustainable ecosystems. A 2018 study on the practice determined that “Through

the process of successfully maintaining an aquarium, continued participation leads to a

proficiency in applicable scientific facts, a better understanding of scientific processes, and an

improved conservation ethic for aquatic resources” (Marchio, 2018). These hobbyists as well

as responsible suppliers of freshwater aquarium species also contribute conservation funding

that benefits ecosystems worldwide. Further, freshwater aquarium hobbyist clubs and online
communities often engage in local conservation projects, such as stream clean-ups, habitat

restoration, and environmental education initiatives.

Freshwater aquarium hobbyists may also positively contribute to research efforts on

aquatic species, for instance by observing species behavior, breeding patterns, and other

aspects of their aquatic pets and publishing their findings. Researchers noted that “hobbyists

often contribute to the development of basic knowledge about the biology and ecology of the

species through the technical notes and reports they publish on the maintenance and breeding

experiences of these species in hobbyist journals” (Maceda-Veiga, 2016). While the validity

of these published findings in aquarium magazines and websites can be uncertain, they can

reveal information to researchers to help them as they study a species.

There are some examples of hobbyists keeping species alive, notably the crescent zoe

and the golden skiffia. These two species, both extinct or nearly extinct in the wild, have been

kept alive by dedicated hobbyists for over twenty-five years. Additionally, for some rare

species, captive-breeding programmes to supply aquarium demand have produced a surplus

of specimens for reintroduction programmes in the wild (Maceda-Veiga, 2016). Responsible

breeding done by hobbyists can also reduce the demand for wild-caught specimens. By

promoting captive-bred individuals, hobbyists help alleviate pressure on wild populations.

The freshwαter aquαrium hobbyists form α dedicated community that invests.time.in

understanding a wide range of aquatic species, αnd there are numerous inspiring examples of

their contributions to the conservation of freshwater αquatic life αnd ecosystems. It is

essential for policy development to acknowledge and tackle the negative environmentαl

effects associated with aquarium maintenance. Although mαintaining freshwater aquaria can

potentially hαrm the environment in various αspects, this hobby also presents an opportunity

to foster environmental stewardship and create α sense of community centered around

conservation efforts.
Bibliography

1. Hans-Georg Evers, John K. Pinnegar, Martin I. Taylor. “Where are they all from? –
sources and sustainability in the ornamental freshwater fish trade.” Journal of Fish
Biology, 12 February 2019. https://doi.org/10.1111/jfb.13930
2. Alberto Maceda-Veiga, Omar Domínguez-Domínguez, Josep Escribano-Alacid, John
Lyons. “The aquarium hobby: can sinners become saints in freshwater fish
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temperate waterbodies: a case study from Hungary.” Knowledge & Management of
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