More than 200 million fish are imported to the United States each year to supply the pet fish industry. Seventy-nine percent of all ornamental fish are imported from Southeast Asia and Japan, followed by South America with approximately seventeen percent.

Amazingly, there are over 730 species of freshwater fish in these imports and over 800 salt-water varieties of pet ornamental or tropical fish.


But sadly, many of these have short life spans and do not breed, as a direct result of the vastly reduced size of their surroundings.

Keeping any pet is a big responsibility and it is no different with keeping a pet fish. Since fish are used to having large bodies of water to enjoy, being left in a small cramped fish bowl can be a real shock to their systems, as it would be to ours. 

Many people understand this and make an effort to provide a larger home for their pet fish... such as a lily pond, or by buying the largest aqariums they can afford. This way, their pet fish is not confined in a small fish bowl or in the bottom of some even smaller base of a floral arrangement. Living in cramped conditions means a shorter life for the fish and possibly no offspring.  So, when planning to start a hobby of keeping pet fish, be sure to consider and purchase (or build) the largest space you possibly can to give your pet fish a longer, healthier and happier life... the rewards may also be a new school of new babies!