Modern aquaristics – fascination and species conservation

Abstract

Aquaria have always exerted a great fascination. Therefore, one finds impressive fish tanks in many a shop or medical practice. Apart from this aesthetic function, aquaria play a progressively greater role in species conservation. Some fish species have found their last refuge in tanks – definitely with an upward trend. Fortunately, academic research institutes increasingly work together with aquaculture farms, public aquaria and private owners to stop species extinction at least partly. In this way, fishkeeping by private aquarists has evolved into another branch of citizen science with multiple relationships to related sciences. The present article gives some examples of initiatives and active organizations.